Japanese Prime Minister To Visit Indonesia

JAKARTA, Jan 13 (Antara) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is scheduled to make a two-day state visit to Indonesia from January 15 to 16, 2017, according to Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir. "Economic issues will be the main focus of the discussions about bilateral cooperation between Abe and President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), who will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi," Nasir remarked here on Thursday. He said the Japanese prime minister¿s the first state visit to Indonesia this year reflects the high commitment both countries have towards stepping up bilateral cooperation, especially in the economic field. "Japan is a strategic partner of Indonesia in various fields. This cooperation will be enhanced in keeping with the basic principle of mutual benefit," Nasir noted. According to him, Prime Minister Abe will be accompanied by a business delegation comprising about 30 CEOs and business leaders working in fields such as banking, manufacturing, steel industry and transportation. The aim is to increase investment in Indonesia. Nasir added that Abe and Jokowi will also discuss cooperation in infrastructure development, connectivity and investment in the maritime field. Besides, the two leaders will also discuss investment in the construction of Patimban port in West Java, a high speed train from Jakarta to Surabaya, and the operation of Masela Oil and Gas Block in the Maluku province. "Besides economic issues, Jokowi and Abe will discuss politics, culture and the developing situation in the region," Nasir informed, adding that the bilateral meeting between Jokowi and Abe will take place at the Bogor Palace on Sunday, before Abe returns to Japan on Monday. Japan is one of the most important economic partners for Indonesia. The bilateral trade in 2016 had reached US$31 billion while investment had reached US$4.5 billion.