Jakarta, Aug 29 (IANS) Indonesia will host the second Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) in the resort island of Bali from September 1-3, aiming to secure business deals worth $3.5 billion to address pressing challenges of energy and food security.
Indonesia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Pahala Nugraha Mansuri said on Thursday that the IAF hopes to strengthen cooperation between Indonesia and African countries and draw up concrete plans on how the great potential can be developed between the two countries.
“The main focus of this year’s forum will be economic reform, energy and mining, food security, health and development cooperation. For the private sector and state-owned enterprises, we expect agreements worth $3.5 billion to be reached,” Mansouri said at an online press conference, Xinhua reported.
He said the IAF is expected to attract 855 participants, especially from African and Southern Hemisphere countries.
Speaking at the event, Rwanda Ambassador to Indonesia Abdul Karim Harerimana said the IAF’s goal is to serve as a platform for the exchange of ideas to address development challenges and enhance international cooperation on development.
“It is also expected that this will further strengthen bilateral relations between Indonesia, Rwanda and African countries at large, and open up opportunities for closer and mutually beneficial cooperation between us,” Harerimana said.
– Ian
Integer/As
