Indonesia, Egypt push for economic partnership agreement

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi have pushed for an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and welcomed an initiative to establish a Joint Investment Fund to expand bilateral trade and investment opportunities.

According to Prabowo, the EPA is expected to broaden opportunities for market access, investment, and business involvement between Indonesia and Egypt.

"We also agreed to strengthen cooperation in various fields, including the economy, especially trade and investment. To that end, we have pushed for the establishment of an Economic Partnership Agreement between Indonesia and Egypt," he said in a joint statement with El-Sisi at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Sunday.

He also welcomed the initiative by investment institutions from both countries to encourage funding for strategic projects.

The president said closer economic ties would help deepen the strategic partnership between Indonesia and Egypt, which the two leaders agreed to pursue during his visit to Egypt in April 2025.

In addition to the economic sector, the two countries are also expanding cooperation in several areas.

Related news: Indonesia, Egypt agree to enhance defense industry cooperation

In the marine and fisheries sector, Indonesia and Egypt agreed to strengthen cooperation in sustainable development, marine resource conservation, eradication of illegal fishing, and the exchange of knowledge and expertise.

In the defense sector, both countries will seek to build capacity through joint training and education programs, as well as exchange visits involving leaders and experts.

Educational ties will also be expanded through student exchange programs, collaborative research, and closer partnerships between institutions.

Prabowo then expressed appreciation for Egypt's offering in increasing scholarship quotas for Indonesian students, particularly in the fields of medicine, engineering, and science.

"These agreements demonstrate a shared commitment to continue strengthening the Indonesia-Egypt strategic partnership," he said.

Prabowo described El-Sisi’s visit as an opportunity for Indonesia and Egypt to identify concrete measures to deepen their partnership and bring tangible benefits to their people.

"With the long-standing spirit of solidarity and our shared commitment to deepening our strategic partnership, I am confident that our relations will grow stronger and provide tangible benefits to both nations and our people," he stated.

Related news: Prabowo welcomes Egyptian President El-Sisi at Merdeka Palace

Translator: Fathur Rochman, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Bayu Prasetyo
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