President Joko Widodo will make a state visit to Australia on 8-10 February 2020, with the main agenda to discuss economic cooperation, especially related to the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (IA-CEPA) which has entered the final stage of the ratification process.
"And there will be a launch of the plan of action as a reference for the implementation of the IA-CEPA," Foreign Ministry Spokesman Teuku Faizasyah said in Jakarta on Thursday (6/2).
Domestically, the IA-CEPA will be ratified by law after obtaining approval from the Indonesian Parliament. The Draft Law (RUU) on Ratification of the IA-CEPA was submitted by the President of the Republic of Indonesia to the Speaker of the Indonesian Parliament on January 24, 2020.
A comprehensive economic partnership agreement that was signed on March 4, 2019 is believed to be beneficial for Indonesia to improve the competitiveness of human resources, industry and the service sector.
In addition, the agreement was also expected to increase market access for goods and services from Indonesia to Australia.
President Jokowi's visit to Canberra is part of the annual leaders' meeting as well as to commemorate 70 years of Indonesia-Australia diplomatic relations.
In the Australian capital, President Jokowi will hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Scott Morrison, meet Australian Governor General David Hurley, deliver a speech before the Australian Parliament, and attend business meetings between the two countries.
