July 15, 2023
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi (right) and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (left) at a joint press conference in Jakarta, Saturday, July 15, 2023. ANTARA PHOTO/Aditya Pradana Putra/fok.
"I call on the Turkish private sector to do the same by making Indonesia an industrial hub and source of industrial resources for the Asia-Pacific market," Marsudi said in a joint press conference with Fidan in Jakarta.
Marsudi said he welcomes Turkey's business-to-business (B-to-B) joint production and distribution of electric buses, cooperation in natural gas, Gorontalo Food Complex and Trans-Sumatra Toll Road development, and investment in wood processing industries in Sumatra.
During the meeting, the two men discussed the continuation of the bilateral strategic agreement between governments (G-to-G) and private parties (B-to-B) signed in Bali in November 2022.
The agreement focuses on defense, forestry, environment protection, research and technology and innovation sectors.
Indonesia and Turkey strengthened their relationship last year by establishing the High Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSC).
The HLSC will be a regular forum to discuss bilateral, regional and international strategic issues that are of mutual interest to the two countries.
During the discussion, Marsudi conveyed President Joko Widodo's invitation to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for a bilateral visit to Indonesia.
Minister Fidan, who visited Indonesia for the first time since coming to power in June, said that Indonesia is Turkey's strategic partner and the two countries have established a long friendship and partnership.
"We value our relationship and we are committed to strengthening it in all directions," he said.
On this occasion, Fidan thanked Fidan for being one of the first countries to reach Turkey after the severe earthquake in February.
Speaking of HLSC, it was a historic moment in Indonesia-Turkey relations.
"This procedure will be a concrete step to bring the relationship to a new level," he said.
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