JAKARTA — Indonesian President Joko Widodo is scheduled to visit Hà Nội on Tuesday and Wednesday at the invitation of Vietnamese President Trần Đại Quang.

The visit aims to develop economic co-operation and expand market access between the two countries. Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arrmanatha Nasir said the President is keen to ensure that the two countries have the opportunity to co-operate further. 

According to Indonesia’s Antara News, Indonesia and Việt Nam are among countries with a large population, ranking first and third respectively in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Both countries have also experienced high economic growth in the last three years.

In terms of trade and investment, the governments of both countries will work to reduce trade barriers.

The leaders of both nations have agreed to accelerate the implementation of an action plan to improve their ties and also forge economic, trade and investment relations.

During his stay in Hà Nội, President Jokowi is scheduled to meet his Vietnamese counterpart Trần Đại Quang to discuss a number of issues, including co-operation in maritime and fisheries as well as the completion of the Exclusive Economic Zone boundaries in the East Sea. 

Arrmanatha said maritime border negotiations are indeed a lengthy process, raising hope for a political push from the two leaders to accelerate the process. 

The governments of both nations will also sign two memoranda of understanding on health and tourism, as well as issue a joint communiqué on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

In addition to the bilateral meeting, President Widodo is scheduled to speak at the World Economic Forum on ASEAN themed ‘ASEAN Priorities in the Fourth Industrial Revolution’.

The message that the President will deliver at the forum is the importance for ASEAN to have a strategy in place to handle the impacts of the fourth Industrial Revolution, according to Arrmanatha.

Moreover, it is important to develop co-operation among stakeholders to engage start-ups and small and medium enterprises in building inclusive value chains and innovative economy since the Industrial Revolution 4.0 is not only related to large industries. —  VNS