Sports and Youth Minister Imam Nahwari said the presidential decree would become the basis for Indonesia, announced last year to replace Vietnam as the official venue of the Asian Games 2018, to begin preparing for the multi-sport event featuring Asian member countries.

"We are striving to find a CEO for the event because we want to hold tenders for every project related to the organizing of the event," Nahrawi said as quoted by Antara in Jakarta on Tuesday.

The minister was speaking after he and Surinamese Youth and Sports Minister Ismanto Adna signed a memorandum of understanding to promote cooperation in the fields of sports and youth affairs between the two countries.

Nahrawi said the government would hold tenders for the construction of venues and programs related to the Asian Games 2018 and ascertained that his ministry would not be directly involved in the projects.

Earlier, President Jokowi held a limited meeting at the presidential office on March 19 to discuss preparations for the 18th Asian Games.

He said one of the most important steps the government would take before hosting the event was setting up an organizing committee.

"By setting up an organizing committee, all parties can work on preparations for the construction of venues and the signing of work contracts,'€ said Jokowi, adding private parties should play a role in the organizing of the Asian Games as well.

Indonesia was chosen to host the 18th Asian Games after Vietnam withdrew its bid because of financial problems. (ebf)(+++)

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