JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – President Joko Widodo received an honorary visit from the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Minister of Foreign Affairs) Canada Melanie Joly with a small delegation at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta on Monday, April 11, 2022.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Retno Marsudi who accompanied the Head of State said that there were discussions regarding economic cooperation between the two countries, considering that Canada is one of Indonesia’s most important trade and investment partners for the North American region.

Retno said the value of trade between Canada and Indonesia in 2021 increased quite significantly by almost 30% and the value of investments also increased by almost 4%.

President Jokowi also stressed the importance for the two countries to continue to strengthen cooperative relations in the economic field, one of which is to intensify negotiations Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) which has been negotiated since last March.

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“The president said it was necessary to speed up the negotiations,” Retno said in his statement after the meeting.

“In addition, he also discussed cooperation on the issue of clean energy, Infrastructure, and others. Canadian investors are interested in continuing to invest in Indonesia,” he added.

Additionally, Retno said, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed Canada’s support for Indonesia’s G20 Presidency.

“During the meeting, the Canadian foreign minister again expressed Canada’s support for the Indonesian presidency,” he said.

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According to Retno, Canada has also expressed its commitment to continue open communication with Indonesia in order to best prepare the G20 to deal with the difficult situation that is currently unfolding.

Moreover, Retno also added that Indonesia has received similar support from all G20 member countries.

“Therefore, we want us to be able to realize those supports, we are working together so that once again the G20 can function optimally in the midst of this difficult situation,” he said.

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