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RI, Laos to increase cooperation in three fields

As Indonesia and Laos celebrate the 60th anniversary of their bilateral relations, both countries agreed to increase cooperation in the fields of education, drug control and investment

Anton Hermansyah and Indra Budiari (The Jakarta Post)
Bogor
Fri, October 13, 2017

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RI, Laos to increase cooperation in three fields

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s Indonesia and Laos celebrate the 60th anniversary of their bilateral relations, both countries agreed to increase cooperation in the fields of education, drug control and investment.

Laos Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith has made his first official visit to Indonesia, arriving on Wednesday. He went to Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI) 2017 in Serpong, Banten province, and attended a meeting between Indonesian and Laotian businesspeople in Jakarta. On Thursday he was welcomed by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo at the Bogor Presidential Palace in West Java.

“I am happy to receive the first official visit of his excellency Prime Minister Thongloun. This is a special year because we celebrate the 60th anniversary of our bilateral relationship,” Jokowi said.

The meeting between the Indonesian and Laotian governments produced three memoranda of understanding (MoU) concerning drug control and education.

National Narcotics Agency (BNN) head Budi Waseso and Laos Public Security Deputy Minister Somvang Thammasith signed an MoU on the control of narcotics and psychotropic substances. Meanwhile, Education and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy and Research and Higher Education Minister Muhammad Nasir represented Indonesia to sign two MoUs on education with Laos Education and Sports Minister Sengdeuane Lachanthaboun.

President Jokowi said he wanted to see a follow-up to the drug control cooperation agreement as soon as possible to strengthen the power of law enforcement agencies to chase international drug trafficking networks.

“It is important to underline our will to cooperate [in combatting] drug abuse and illegal drug trafficking. I hope to see a follow-up with a drug control MoU as soon as possible,” he said.

In January, Thailand’s police arrested Laotian Xaysana Keopimpha, who was considered one of the biggest Southeast Asian drug lords, having a vast network spanning Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. Back in 2013, Central Java police caught other international drug dealers that operated in India, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia.

In the agreement on education, the two countries are to carry out student exchange programs at both the primary and university levels. The President said he welcomes Laotian students who wanted to continue their education in Indonesia.

Other than the MoUs, both leaders agreed to increase collaboration in the business sector. There was potential for cooperation in energy, mining, fertilizers and agriculture, Jokowi said.

“Indonesian investors are interested in fertilizer and mining businesses in Laos. I hope the plan can be realized soon,” Jokowi said.

He also offered to sell to the Laotian government airplanes made by state-owned PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) and defense system equipment made by PT Pindad, since Laos was in the market for such things.

“The Indonesian strategic industry is ready to supply high quality products such as airplanes and defense system equipment, which is needed by Laos,” he said.

On Sept. 21, Pindad’s marketing vice president for exports, Ridi Djajakusuma, made a presentation to the Laos Defense Ministry and the latter expressed interest to purchase more weapons, such as short rifles.

While expressing thanks to Indonesia for providing economic support and skills training to his country, Thongloun also invited Jokowi to visit Laos.

“With the warm welcome from the President to my delegation, we feel at home and I have delivered the invitation from our president to President Jokowi to make an official visit to Laos,” he said.

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