Monday, 15 July 2024
Prime Minister Hon. James Marape and President of the Republic of Indonesia H.E Joko Widodo taken before the Leaders’ Dialogue today. (photo credit: Muchlis Jr – Biro Pers Sekretariat Presiden).
Jakarta, Indonesia: Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has commended President Joko Widodo for fostering bilateral relations with the people and government of Papua New Guinea during his tenure as the President of the Republic of Indonesia.
The Prime Minister made this statement during the two leaders’ joint press conference after the 3rd Papua New Guinea – Indonesia Leaders’ Dialogue held at Bogor Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Prime Minister Marape emphasised the growing bilateral relations between both countries since Papua New Guinea gained its Independence in 1975, adding, it has grown from just sharing border interests to other areas , including economic development..
In addition, Mr Marape underscored the PNG- Indonesia relations , stating they have diversified over the last three years since the inception of the Annual Leaders’ Dialogue, which has shifted the focus from border relations to business, trade, investment, agriculture, economic infrastructure development, information communication and technology, and energy.
He highlighted how business-to-business cooperation has also intensified between the countries’ chambers of business, synergizing efforts to increase trade, while adding that it was under President Widodo’s leadership that the first PNG-Indonesia Leaders’ Dialogue was initiated in 2022 in Jakarta.
Papua New Guinea responded by hosting the second PNG – Indonesia Leaders’ Dialogue in Port Moresby in 2023, in which President Widodo attended and accorded a ceremonial welcome on his arrival.
The 3rd PNG- Indonesia Leaders’ Dialogue has just been completed in Indonesia.
The Prime Minister Marape views the Annual Leaders’ Dialogue as an effective mechanism to coordinate and measure progress of the existing bilateral relations that continues to foster business, trade and commerce, and socioeconomic development riding on Indonesia’s positive economic growth and PNG’s potential to harness and trade its vast renewable and non-renewable resources.
Mr Marape said as a part of policy reforms in both countries to grow the business-to-business and people-to-people relations, both Governments have officially signed four Memoranda of Understanding to progress these areas further.
They are;
• MoU on Cross Border Movement for Commercial Buses and Coaches;
• MoU on Cross Border Transport of Goods by Motor Vehicles
• MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Education; and
• Renewed MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Health.
Prime Minister Marape further thanked President Widodo for continuing to foster relations with Papua New Guinea even while preparing to hand over the reign of the presidency of the Republic of Indonesia to his successor H.E Prabowo Subianto.
Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, (right) paid a courtesy call on the President – Elect of the Republic of Indonesia and the current Minister for Defense, H.E. Prabowo Subianto (left), at the Ministry of Defense Office in Jakarta, Indonesia today. (picture credit: PM’s Media).