Indonesian President Jokowi strengthens bilateral ties during visit to Mozambique

Based on the information from the Presidential Secretariat, President Joko Widodo, commonly known as Jokowi, and his delegation arrived in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, as part of his official visit to the African continent.

The visit, aimed at bolstering bilateral relations, commenced on Tuesday (22 Aug), at approximately 5:00 PM local time (10:00 PM WIB).

President Jokowi’s visit to Mozambique included a series of diplomatic engagements to enhance cooperation between the two nations.

Quoted from the Indonesian Cabinet Secretariat’s webpage, the President expressed Indonesia’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Mozambique through collaboration in economic and developmental endeavors.

This commitment was reiterated during a bilateral meeting with Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi on Wednesday (23 Aug).

“Indonesia remains committed to strengthening partnership with Mozambique through concrete cooperation in both economic and developmental fields,” President Jokowi affirmed.

He emphasized that Mozambique is not only a close friend of Indonesia but also the first partner in Africa under the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).

The President highlighted the significant increase in trade by 78% on June 2023 since the implementation of the Indonesia-Mozambique PTA in 2022.

President Jokowi also unveiled plans to optimize the utilization of the PTA for businesses by fostering collaboration between chambers of commerce.

President Jokowi held a bilateral meeting with President of the Republic of Mozambique, Filipe Nyusi, at the Presidential Office in Maputo, Republic of Mozambique, on Wednesday, August 23, 2023. (Photo: the documentary of the Presidential Secretariat)

“And we have agreed to optimize the utilization of the PTA for business actors through cooperation among chambers of commerce. Additionally, I am also encouraging the export of train products by Indonesian state-owned enterprises to Mozambique,” he explained.

In the realm of investment, President Jokowi welcomed Indonesia’s proposed investments in oil and gas management in Mozambique, as well as expansion projects in the energy sector.

He expressed enthusiasm for the management of end-to-end gas investments by Indonesian state-owned enterprises and the expansion of investments in power generation.

Furthermore, President Jokowi commended Indonesian companies for their investments in gas production and distribution in Mozambique.

He also advocated for the establishment of a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) between the two nations, tasking relevant ministries to expedite the treaty’s completion.

The two countries also reached agreements to reinforce Mozambique’s healthcare resilience by means of vaccine procurement, medications, and medical equipment. President Jokowi sought President Nyusi’s support for the registration of Indonesian vaccines.

President Jokowi reasserted Indonesia’s commitment to fostering development cooperation with Africa through a comprehensive five-year plan set to be finalized soon.

The plan encompasses sectors such as health, food, energy, and other areas of interest to Mozambique.

In closing, President Jokowi announced the formation of a task force to follow up on the outcomes of the Indonesia-Mozambique bilateral meeting. He invited Mozambique’s participation in the second Indonesia-Africa Forum scheduled for next year.

During the visit, the two countries signed various cooperation documents, including Memorandums of Understanding on Drug and Biological Product Control and a Letter of Intent for Bilateral Defense Cooperation.

Jokowi Attends Opening of Mozambique National Cultural Festival (Photo: the documentary of the Presidential Secretariat Press Bureau)

As part of the visit, President Jokowi attended the opening ceremony of Mozambique’s National Festival of Culture 2023 upon the invitation of President Filipe Nyusi.

In his address at the event, Jokowi emphasized the value of respecting cultural diversity and transforming differences into strengths that unify nations.

President Jokowi’s visit to Mozambique reflects Indonesia’s commitment to fostering international partnerships and strengthening collaboration across various sectors for mutual growth and development.