During his official visit to Timor-Leste (26/01) Indonesian President Joko Widodo said his government is committed to supporting Timor-Leste in key sectors: infrastructure, communications and transport, health and also in downstream business.
He added that Timor-Leste and Indonesia will continue to strengthen cooperation and work towards developing the downstream business and infrastructure including electricity, and oil and gas (LNG) in-land. He said also that from 2011 to 2015, Indonesia through its public enterprises has been able to invest some $344 million in the infrastructure sector in Timor.
“In 2016 I hope that we will strengthen cooperation to be able to reach Rp.7 trillion,” said President Widodo.
Meanwhile he reaffirmed the commitment of the Indonesian health sector to become Timor-Leste’s main partner in the supply of medicines and to provide access to other health facilities as needed by the Ministry of Health.
“Indonesia is ready to become a main partner in the supply of medicines and medical equipment in Timor-Leste,” added President Widodo.
In regards to communications and transport, President Widodo said that Indonesia will also continue to strengthen the connectivity of its telecommunications operator Telkomsel that has been in operation in Timor over the past three years. It will continue strengthen the services of the Mandiri Bank that has been in Timor-Leste since 2003. The president said Indonesia would also assist Timor-Leste in planning its national airport and provide pilot and aviation training.
During this one-day official visit, Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo and Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister DrRui Maria de Araujo also held bilateral meetings to discuss border issues and to sign MOU’s with the Secretariat of State for Youth and Sports (SEJD), with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, with the Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Communication, and with the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources.
Prime Minister DrRui Maria de Araújo said the official visit by President Widodo strengthens the bilateral relationship between both nations which will contribute towards Timor-Leste’s development.
The Prime Minister added that Indonesia’s own economic development is very good which will assist Timor-Leste look at how it can improve its own economic development.
“Global predictions forecast Indonesia as one of the nations whose economic development is very good and rivals that of China and the United States of America,” said PM Araujo.
