Greater Economic of Indonesia, Papua New Guinea Built by Cooperation

Papua New Guinea – The Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) attended the first business forum meeting between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) at APEC Haus on Wednesday.

The head of state thinks that the economic of both countries may grow and be greater through cooperation.

President Widodo encouraged the discussion of the Indonesia-PNG PTA (preferential trade agreement) so that economic cooperation would develop further.

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Presiden RI Joko Widodo (Jokowi) melakukan pertemuan dengan Perdana Menteri (PM) Papua Nugini (PNG), James Marape.

Photo :

• Laily Rachev - Biro Pers Sekretariat Presiden.

"You can imagine if these two potentials combine, it will certainly have a huge impact, not only for the people of the two countries, but also the region," he said.

In addition, Jokowi said that Indonesia will support the Connect Papua New Guinea Program, one is through Indonesian construction SOEs that have experience in several countries.

According to him, infrastructure and connectivity are key requirements for sustainable economic growth.

"We continue to develop connectivity with the opening of the PNG Express shipping route and the opening of the Denpasar - Port Moresby flight," he explained.

Then, he said that Indonesia and Papua New Guinea have considerable economic potential with the border between the two countries reaching more than 800 kilometers.

In fact, he said, the data he received was that the value of trade was more than US$3 million in 2019.

"We need to make the border points as new centers of economic activity. This will greatly impact not only the border communities, but also the economies of both countries. Ibelieve the closeness between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea will get closer with concrete economic cooperation," he concluded.

Furthermore, the President Widodo witnessed the symbolic handover of a miniature Citilink aircraft to representatives of business forum participants as a sign of the start of Citilink's inaugural flight on the Denpasar-Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea route.

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"We continue to develop connectivity with the opening of the PNG Express shipping route and the opening of the Denpasar - Port Moresby flight," he explained.