INDUSTRY.co.id - Nusa Dua - Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi conveyed to representatives of African countries that the Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) demonstrated Indonesia's commitment to strengthening cooperation with African countries.

"For more than a year we have worked hard in preparing this Indonesia-Africa Forum to demonstrate Indonesia's commitment to strengthen its love and cooperation with Africa," Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said in Bali on Tuesday (10/4/2018). )

The Foreign Minister delivered to representatives of African countries during the IAF opening ceremony that Indonesia is committed to collaboration that is colored with equality, care and collaboration that is sustainable and mutually beneficial.

"You may ask why Indonesia initiated the Indonesia-Africa Forum, the immediate answer is that Indonesia loves Africa, our love for Africa is not only reflected in words but also reflected in deeds," Retno said.

She stressed that Indonesia wants to play a role and be a part of development in African countries.

"Indonesia wants to be part of development in Africa, and instead Indonesia wants Africa to be part of development in Indonesia," she said.

The Indonesian Foreign Minister said that the Indonesian government has been studying the vision of Africa 2063 and monitoring the progress of the African Free Trade Continent.

In this series of IAF activities on Tuesday there will be a panel of discussions between Indonesia and African countries on policy making and perspectives on strategic topics such as economic diplomacy, infrastructure development, financing facility initiatives, digital transformation, strategic industry cooperation.

Furthermore, on the second day of the IAF on Wednesday (11/4) there will be an Indonesia-Africa Business Forum to discuss important topics such as connectivity, digital economy, agriculture, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), South-South and Triangular Cooperation , and the future of Indonesia-Africa economic relations.

Throughout the forum, ministers, high officials, CEOs, bankers, and leaders of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Indonesia and African countries will discuss and exchange ideas.

"I am glad that a number of Indonesian state-owned companies are participating in this forum, including Pertamina, PT Inka, PT Dirgantara Indonesia, PT PAL, PT TIMAH, and many others," Retno said as quoted by Antara.

The Foreign Minister also welcomed the CEOs and business representatives from Africa, including Ethiopian Airlines, Topwide Ventures Limited, Africa Export-Import Bank, Amirco Commercial Service.

The IAF is an event held for the first time by the Indonesian government as a platform to encourage concrete economic cooperation between Indonesia and African countries.

IAF is in line with President Joko Widodo's encouragement for Indonesia to enter non-traditional markets, especially Africa. The Government of Indonesia seeks to convert the proximity of Indonesia's political relations with African countries to the proximity of economic relations.