Fajarasia.co – President Joko Widodo received the Vice President of Zambia, W.K. Mutale Nalumango, after attending the opening of The 7th Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) 2022 at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC), Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
During the meeting, the President discussed efforts to strengthen economic cooperation between Indonesia and Zambia.
“Mr. President expressed hope that in the future Indonesia’s exports, including CPO, paper, and apparel in particular, can continue to be increased to Zambia,” said Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi in a statement received by RRI through the BPMI Setpres, Wednesday (25/5/2022).
In addition, President Jokowi also conveyed information about the existence of several Indonesian SOEs that are currently exploring cooperation in Zambia. In the railway sector, for example, PT INKA is exploring the provision of locomotives for the Zambia Railway project from Victoria Falls to Chingola City.
“In addition, there are Indonesian SOEs that are also exploring cooperation in the context of expanding and modernizing the Lusaka International Airport terminal,” he explained.
In the new and renewable energy sector, President Jokowi conveyed that there is a plan to set up a joint venture between Indonesian state-owned companies in the construction and management of solar power plants in Zambia.
“The President also expressed the desire of Indonesian pharmaceutical companies to contribute in strengthening the health sector in Zambia, especially or in particular in the effort to fulfill the vaccines needed in Zambia,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Vice President of Zambia expressed his appreciation for Indonesia in disaster management. To note, a number of parties have previously conveyed similar appreciation, including the President of the United Nations General Assembly and the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations.
“The Vice President of Zambia also expressed his appreciation for Indonesia’s way of managing Covid-19.
In addition, the Vice President of Zambia also conveyed the importance of Indonesia and Zambia being able to hold a joint commission meeting. The Vice President of Zambia also expressed his wish that Indonesia could help increase capacity in the sectors that Zambia needs, namely in the field of disaster management and mining.
“Earlier, it was also mentioned that the desire to cooperate in capacity building is still ongoing, but also in addition to agriculture,” he said.
In addition to being accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the meeting President Jokowi was also accompanied by Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, the Indonesian Ambassador to Zimbabwe and also Zambia Dewa Made J. Sastrawan, and Plt. Director of Africa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tyas Baskoro, Her Witjaksono Adji.****
