Indonesia, Cabo Verde To Explore Cooperation In Maritime Field

LONDON, July 11 (Antara) - Indonesian Ambassador to Dakar, Mansyur Pangeran, who is concurrently the Ambassador to Cabo Verde, met Cabo Verde Prime Minister Ulisses Correia E Silva, during a working visit to the Republic of Cabo Verde, to discuss the potential for cooperation between the two countries. The second Secretary of Information, Social Affairs and Culture Function of the Indonesian Embassy in Dakar, Diman Prihadi, told Antara here on Monday that the visit was also aimed to improve bilateral relations between Cabo Verde and its friendly countries, particularly in the areas of economy, trade, maritime, tourism, and investment. Pangeran paid a visit to Praia, the capital of Cabo Verde, after Cabo Verde government's invitation to hold gatherings and dialogues with all accredited diplomatic missions for Cabo Verde. During the meeting, Pangeran stated that Indonesia and Cabo Verde have huge potential for establishing cooperation, especially in maritime industry, sea, and air transportation. The two countries have a geographical similarity as archipelagic countries, he added. He also promoted shipping industry of PT PAL and PT Dirgantara Indonesia for aircraft industry. Silva responded well to the proposed cooperation and expected to establish cooperation in the tourism sector in the form of the Sister City between Sall Island and Bali Island, as the two islands have some characteristic similarities. He also invited Indonesian businessmen to attend the Business Forum and International Trade Fair, which will be held in Praia in October. Pangeran welcomed the invitation and invited Cabo Verde entrepreneurs to attend the 2017 Trade Expo Indonesia, Indonesia's largest trade fair. The dialogue was opened by Cabo Verde Foreign Minister Luis Filipe Tavares, who explained the importance of increasing cooperation in various fields between Cabo Verde and all diplomatic mission countries. After the inauguration, Cabo Verde Prime Minister Ulisses Correia E Silva delivered a presentation. Meanwhile, Pangeran also held a meeting with Cabo Verde Chamber of Commerce and Industry to discuss the potential for cooperation in marine sector. The chamber highlighted that the cooperation in the sea transportation sector had a very high potential to be established, as Cabo Verde is currently the center of cargo transportation business in the African region. The meeting resulted in an agreement for Indonesia to hold a business forum in Cabo Verde in Sept to present the country's economic potentials. On that occasion, Pangeran warmly greeted Cabo Verde President Jorge Carlos Fonseca and conveyed warm greetings from Indonesian President Joko Widodo. Fonseca also warmly welcomed the ambassador and expressed his willingness to increase cooperation in various fields with the Indonesian government. Cabo Verde is an archipelagic country with a population of 538 thousand people, relying on the country's major foreign exchange from the tourism and marine sectors. The state gained independence from Portugal on July 5, 1975. It was politically very stable with good economic growth. In addition, the country is also well known for the beauty of its beaches, which could attract foreign investors like China to build business and trade centers, as well as hospitality in Praia.