Jakarta (ANTARA) – President of Indonesia Joko Widodo (Jokowi) sought Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s support regarding the economic cooperation agreement between both nations.The head of state conveyed this at a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Trudeau, Saturday, at the Rihga Royal Hotel in Hiroshima, Japan. “Ask for Your Excellency’s support regarding the completion of the Indonesia-Canada CEPA (‘Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement’) agreement, the realization of Canadian ‘Pension Funds’ investments that focus on developing Nusantara’s Capital City, and the development of a funding mechanism for ‘feasibility studies’ for ‘greenfield’ projects in Indonesia,” President Jokowi remarked. Furthermore, the president expects efforts to be accelerated for realizing the development of a green airport in North Kalimantan; the exploration, enrichment of rare earth metals; and the establishment of a bilateral task force. The head of state lauded the support of G7 countries, including Canada, in assisting Indonesia’s energy transition. “I hope that US$20 billion in funding support can be realized immediately but not in the form of debt,” President Jokowi affirmed. Speaking in connection with food security, Jokowi encouraged the implementation of an agreement between Indonesia’s State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) and Canadian Commercial Corporation for the supply of potassium and wheat. During the meeting, the discussions between President Jokowi and Prime Minister Trudeau also covered the ASEAN, including the situation in Myanmar. President Jokowi remarked that the ASEAN-Canada Summit would be held in September 2023 in Indonesia. “See you in Jakarta, PM Trudeau,” the president stated. Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, and Director of East Asia of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Santo Darmosumarto accompanied the president at the meeting. Jokowi is on a visit to Hiroshima, Japan, to attend the G7 Summit on Saturday (May 20). At the meeting, the president will bring up issues of peace and the ASEAN. President Jokowi emphasized that Indonesia will consistently echo the interest of the Global South whose economies are not yet fully developed, collaboration, and partnership in attendance at the G7 Summit.

Source: Antara News Agency