Tempo | 7 July 2017

Joko Widodo, Erdogan sign trade deal

by FRISKI RIANA

President Joko Widodo said that the governments of Indonesia and Turkey have agreed on a trade deal. It includes fewer trade barriers and creation of conducive investment climate.

"We have agreed to bring positive trends in trade and investment including through negotiation of Indonesia-Turkey Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IT-CEPA)," Joko Widodo said in a written statement received by Tempo yesterday, July 6.

The agreement was reached in a bilateral meeting between Jokowi and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at Turkey’s presidential palace. President Jokowi and Erdogan discussed potential deals between the two countries, namely in trade and investment, defense, energy, and counterterrorism.

According to Joko Widodo, the defense industry has also seen significant improvement. "I’m pleased with the concrete results of cooperation in defense industry which include the launch of medium weight tank "Kaplan" co-produced by Indonesia and Turkey," he said.

The governments of Indonesia and Turkey have established cooperation in aerospace as well. A deal has been agreed in a memorandum of understanding between state-own aircraft manufacturer PT Dirgantara Indonesia and Turkish Aerospace Industry.

In the energy sector, the President said that Indonesia is being supported in power supply in the archipelago. "Stronger cooperation in energy is focused on meeting energy demand in Indonesian islands including through the utilization of power ships," Joko Widodo said.

Turkey-made power ship has been operating in Medan, Amurang, Bolok, and Ambon to meet the electricity demand in the regions.