I invite the Philippines to continue to develop trade potentials (between the countries) as well as connectivity in border areas.Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia and the Philippines agreed to significantly boost the value of their bilateral trade and strengthen connectivity in border areas.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) made the statement after holding a bilateral meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. at the Bogor Presidential Palace, Bogor City, West Java Province, on Monday.
The Indonesian president stated that in comparison with the previous year, the trade between both nations had increased by almost 50 percent.
Indonesia has specifically encouraged the exports of food, beverage, pharmaceutical, coconut, and seaweed products to the Philippines, he remarked.
"I invite the Philippines to continue to develop trade potentials (between the countries) as well as connectivity in border areas. I suggest to revitalize the Bitung (North Sulawesi Province, Indonesia)-Davao (Davao Region, the Philippines) RORO (roll-on/roll-off) ship route and open the Manado (North Sulawesi Province, Indonesia)-Davao flight route," he added.
Marcos’ visit to Indonesia is his first overseas trip after being inaugurated as President of the Philippines on June 30, 2022.
He deliberately chose Indonesia as the first country to visit since the two countries were not only geographically close but also had similar cultures and ethnicities.
Bilateral relations between Indonesia and the Philippines were initiated on November 24, 1949.
The total value of trade between the two countries in 2021 had reached US$9.5 billion, comprising US$8.6 billion worth of exports and US$1.2 billion of imports. Hence, Indonesia's trade balance with the Philippines had recorded a surplus of US$7.3 billion.
The bilateral meeting was also attended by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno, State Secretariat Minister Pratikno, Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines Lieutenant General (ret.) Agus Widjojo, as well as Director General for Asia-Pacific and Africa Regions at the Foreign Affairs Ministry Abdul Kadir Jailani.
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Translator: Rangga Jingga, Uyu Liman
Editor: Sri Haryati
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