President Accepts Reward From Indonesian Diaspora

JAKARTA, July 4 (Antara) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) accepted a reward from the Indonesian Diaspora Network for his efforts in supporting the community while promoting the country overseas, the group's representative Monique stated here on Monday. After handing over the reward to the president at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monique remarked that Jokowi had urged the community members currently living overseas to help the government in increasing foreign investment in the country. "The total investment today has reached some Rp1,500 trillion, but the country still needs another Rp5,400 trillion to support its development," Monique noted quoting the president while adding that Jokowi further expressed hope that the community members would support the government's efforts in increasing the amount of exports. "Our community members are willing to serve as mini ambassadors of Indonesia to the foreign country where we currently reside," she added. On a similar occasion, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, who accompanied the group's representatives, remarked that the president had called the members to actively engage in improving the country's economic sector. "Concerning the unstable state of the global economy, every country now has committed to increasing exports and has attracted more foreign investments," Marsudi pointed out. Hence, the president expressed hope that members of the Indonesian Diaspora Network would continue to cooperate with the government. "At the meeting, we spoke on several issues, including collaboration with the Indonesian Embassy in Mexico. We discussed how Indonesia could export coal to Mexico," she added. "The community members could help the local businesses in expanding their networks overseas," Marsudi emphasized. Apart from strengthening the networks, connecting "the doors" among members living in a different country remains an important topic of discussion, the minister stated. "We hope the group would connect not only its members but also maintain synergy with the government in improving the country's development," she reiterated while adding that an "investment grade" status achieved by the country would pave the way for realizing more foreign investments. Apart from discussing the economic sector, the meeting also covered tourism promotion. "The president expressed hope that the members would continue to introduce the Wonderful Indonesia tagline to their counterparts abroad," the minister added.