"God willing, next week, there will be a 'follow up' visit here," Indonesian Ambassador to the UAE Husin Bagis stated at the Maritime Coordinating Ministry in Jakarta on Friday.
Bagis pointed to the UAE's high enthusiasm and seriousness to immediately invest in Indonesia. Hence, Indonesia is expected to be able to immediately prepare projects that can be offered to the UAE.
"Hence, do not wait too long. However, certainly, we, in Indonesia, must be ready for everything," he noted.
Bagis admitted to President Jokowi requesting an action plan to be made 60 days since the inking of the memorandum of understanding (MoU).
"God willing, this is good, because the Prince just came home, but his team has come to 'follow up,'" he stated.
Bagis remarked that investment from the UAE is expected to offer multifarious benefits to Indonesia. This is since the oil-rich country will bring in full investment without the appendage of foreign or other workers.
"The money coming in is more, in the absence of a labor force to channel it. The money is just brought along with 'no carrying machine.' Hence, that is useful for us," he stated.
At a meeting with Maritime Coordinating Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Bagis remarked that the minister will immediately coordinate with relevant ministries to prepare projects to be offered to the UAE.
Indonesia and the UAE agreed to increase bilateral cooperation in 12 sectors, especially in the economic one.
Of the 12 cooperation agreements signed, nine MoUs pertained to bilateral investment protection treaties, MoU of the Joint Committee on Consular Affairs, and an "LoI" related to the defense sector.
Others inked comprise the MoU on cooperation in the maritime and fisheries sector, agreements on double tax avoidance and customs and excise affairs agreements.
In addition, an MoU on tourism cooperation, an MoU on cultural cooperation, and an MoU on industrial cooperation were signed.
Moreover, three MoUs were inked between businesspersons (B-to-B), specifically the Comprehensive Strategic Framework between state-owned oil/gas company Pertamina and ADNOC; the MoU between Mubadala, OMV, and PT Chandra Asri; as well as the MoU between DP World and Maspion.
Translator: Ade Irman/Eliswan Azly
Editor: Bambang Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
