Jakarta (ANTARA) - Japan has pledged fiscal assistance loans of 50 billion yen, equivalent to Rp6.95 trillion, or about US$473 million, to Indonesia to strengthen the disaster mitigation capacity of the country.

Visiting Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced the loan while delivering a joint press statement with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) following a bilateral meeting between the two leaders at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java on Tuesday.

“Taking into account the impact of the COVID-19 spread on the Indonesian economy, on this occasion, Japan has designated a loan as fiscal assistance of 50 billion yen to increase Indonesia's disaster mitigation capacity,” Suga said.

Japan will also encourage cooperation in developing health studies in Indonesia by providing medical goods and equipment, he added.

The two leaders also said they will ensure resuming of visits between the two countries’ business people and nurses as well as caregivers under the Japan-Indonesia EPA framework.

Suga also agreed to closely coordinate on resuming of short business trips as soon as possible by relaxing the 14-day self-isolation rules after entry into the destination country.

“Regarding the main priority in national development emphasized by President Joko Widodo, Japan will steadily promote cooperation in infrastructure, such as the construction of the MRT, the Jakarta-Surabaya semi-fast train, the development and management of the Patimban Port, development in outer islands, and cooperation to increase economic resilience,” Suga said.

Related news: President Jokowi warmly welcomes PM Suga at Bogor Palace
Related news: Suga supports Indonesia's 'ASEAN Outlook on Indopacific' initiative










Translator: Rangga PAJ, Fardah
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2020