Concrete cooperation between Indonesia and Tanzania covers the fields of trade, investment, human resource development and health.

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Indonesian President Joko Widodo has said his country and Tanzania have agreed to push for concrete cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, human resource development and health.

"The friendship between Indonesia and Tanzania is further strengthened today with President Samia's visit to Indonesia. We have agreed to continue to provide concrete cooperation in various fields," President Widodo said in a joint press statement with Tanzanian President Samia Suluh Hassan, at Indonesia’s Presidential Palace in Bogor city, West Java province, Thursday.

In the trade sector, the president said, the two countries agreed to start negotiations on the formation of a preferential trade agreement (PTA) in 2024.

"A preferential trade agreement (PTA) will be formed to increase trade and the launch of negotiations will begin this year," the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs quoted the president as saying.

Regarding investment, the two countries are committed to strengthening concrete cooperation in the oil and gas sector.

According to the president, Indonesia’s state-owned oil/gas company, PT Pertamina, has expanded cooperation in the Mnazi Bay oil and gas block and conducted training for employees of the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC).

"In the future, Indonesia hopes that negotiations between Medco Energi for LNG cooperation and the SSA (Sinka Sinye Agrotama) investment plan in the fertilizer sector can be realized soon. "I have also conveyed the importance of establishing a bilateral investment treaty to protect investment between the two countries," he said.

In the development cooperation, the head of state said that Indonesia is committed to increasing cooperation in human resource capacity and implementing digital-based systems.

"Indonesia is committed to increasing cooperation in revitalizing the Farmer's Agriculture and Rural Training Center (FARTC) in Morogoro, human resources trainings in the oil and gas and agriculture sectors, as well as implementing the National Single System," he said.

He further said in the health sector, the two countries will strengthen cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector.

“Indonesian pharmaceutical companies have been committed to meeting medical needs in Tanzania. So I have conveyed the importance of intensive exploration between Indonesia’s Food and Drug Agency and the Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority to accelerate the registration of pharmaceutical products," he said.

On the occasion, President Widodo also expressed the commitment of both countries to continue supporting the struggle of the Palestinian people.

"Regarding the situation in Gaza, the two countries have the same position and will continue to coordinate to support the struggle of the Palestinian people," he stressed.

Regarding the South-South Cooperation, the president expressed his hopes for Tanzania's participation in the Indonesia-Africa Forum (AIF) II which will be held in 2024.

"The second Indonesia-Africa Forum is to strengthen South-South Cooperation, in which Tanzania is one of the main partners," the president said.

Reporting by Indonesia Window