- ANTARA FOTO/Raisan Al Farisi
VIVA – Indonesia plans to train one thousand micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Papua New Guinea (PNG), so they can export their products, this is according to the Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan.
This is one of the work agreement results from President Joko Widodo's (Jokowi) state visit to Papua New Guinea.
"We will train one thousand MSMEs in Papua New Guinea to allow them to export (their products). It will be a kind of export school," Minister Hasan said on Thursday.
Ketua Umum PAN Zulkifli Hasan
- istimewa
As Indonesia and Papua New Guinea have several similarities, bilateral cooperation should be intensified to ensure natural wealth in the two countries can be utilized for the best interest of the people, the minister affirmed.
Minister Hasan stated that as Indonesia is successful in developing its electricity infrastructure, it can also help Papua New Guinea in the sector.
"For instance, the electricity there was expensive because they have just begun developing it, yet we are capable of that. While our (electricity price) is six cents, it is 37 cents there. We can help them with that," he remarked.
The minister also highlighted that President Joko Widodo had officiated the direct flight between Denpasar, Bali, to Papua New Guinea's capital Port Moresby, operated by flag carrier Garuda Indonesia subsidiary, Citilink.
During his visit to Papua New Guinea on Wednesday, President Jokowi stressed that Indonesia and Papua are more than partners but are brothers for each other.
“We are ‘Wan famili’ (One Family). The closest brother is called a neighbor," he remarked during the state luncheon hosted by Papua New Guinea Governor-General Bob Dadae at APEC Haus, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
By using the local term "Wan famili," the president sought to emphasize the unity and togetherness between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea in his remarks.
