We will decide laterJakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated on Monday that the government will decide on the possibility of Indonesia joining BRICS.
The economic alliance of developing countries, formed in 2006, comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
"We will decide later," Jokowi stated in Jakarta.
The president made the statement in response to questions by reporters regarding the news circulating that Indonesia plans to become a member of BRICS.
The alliance will conduct a summit on August 22-24 in Johannesburg, South Africa, which has held its presidency since January 1, 2023. Earlier, the alliance was led by China.
Meanwhile, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi remarked that President Jokowi plans to visit South Africa in the near future.
Marsudi said her ministry is still arranging the travel and visit agenda.
"Just wait until all preparations are ready," the minister remarked at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Monday.
Marsudi steered cleared from giving any kind of confirmation when asked whether Jokowi is embarking on the visit to attend the BRICS Summit.
"I cannot say anything yet because communication and coordination (regarding the visit) are still ongoing," she explained.
During his visit to Johannesburg on July 11, Maritime and Investment Coordinating Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan stated that Indonesia is exploring the possibility of importing 50 thousand cows and 300 thousand tons of soybeans from South Africa.
He expressed hope that the agreement on imports would be signed before Jokowi's visit to South Africa to attend the BRICS Summit at the end of August 2023.
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Translator: Indra Arief Pribadi/Anton Santoso
Editor: Sri Haryati
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