Jokowi Says Indonesia to Open Border with Papua New Guinea to Boost Economy

TheIndonesia.id - President Joko Widodo has recently said that Indonesia is “ready” to open its border with Papua New Guinea to boost economic activities, especially in border areas, after the post was previously closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The plan was revealed by President Widodo after his meeting with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape at Presidential Palace in Bogor, West Java, on Thursday, March 31.

“Indonesia is also ready to open border with Papua New Guinea to recover the cross-border trade and economic activity for people living in the border areas,” Widodo said, as reported by Antara.

President also revealed that the meeting discussed effort to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various sectors and saw the two leaders shared their views on potential cooperation in the Pacific region.

On trade, Widodo said Indonesia is looking to improve bilateral trade with the neighbor country, and he is optimistic of the sector’s potential, especially during the recovery phase of COVID-19 pandemic where border in Skouw-Wutung, Muara Tami district, Jayapura, will reopen.

“I also welcome the feasibility study on the formulation of preferential trade agreement between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea,” Widodo added.

Data showed that in 2021, the two countries’ bilateral trade value increased by up to 87 percent compared to the previous year – which is also higher than the value during the pre-COVID period.

After the meeting, PM Marape proposed an idea to hold an annual meeting between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea in the coming years.

“We’re also inviting the Indonesian government to visit Port Moresby next year, so we can have annual meeting between the two countries,” he suggested.