Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Six Dutch companies that have been in Indonesia for years would continue to expand their business in the country, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said here on Wednesday.

"They are talking about plans to expand their investment in Indonesia," Retno explained after a meeting between President Joko Widodo and the CEOs of these six Dutch companies at the Presidential Palace earlier in the day.

Retno recalled that these companies have been running their businesses in Indonesia for decades.

The companies are Royal Dutch Shell, Van Oord, Port of Rotterdam, PGGM Pension Fund, Damen Shipyard Group, and Royal Vopak.

Earlier, President Jokowi had noted that Dutch Prime Minister Mark Ruttes visit along with 200 businessmen reflected their trust and commitment to encourage cooperation with Indonesia.

"This showed trust and commitment of Dutch government and private sector to increase cooperation with Indonesia," he had commented at a joint press conference with Rutte at the Merdeka Palace.

The President reminded that the two countries have a strong relationship that covered various sectors.

"During bilateral talk, we discussed cooperation in economy, trade, investment, water management and development of maritime infrastructure," Jokowi observed.

He emphasized that the Netherlands has been one of Indonesias key partners in Europe. It holds an impressive trade and investment value and a relatively high number of tourists come from this country.

"The Dutch port has become a gateway for Indonesian goods to Europe," Jokowi underlined.

Meanwhile, Mark Rutte pointed out that Indonesia has played an important role in the region and has been a strategic partner of his country.

"Bilateral trade has reached 3.2 billion euros in 2015," he disclosed.

The Prime Minister expressed the hope that the two countries can increase their cooperation further as there are many opportunities in various sectors.

The business delegation accompanying Rutte included those working in the areas of waste management, climate change and agriculture.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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