Daniel A. Fajri, Jakarta – Indonesian President Joko Widodo or Jokowi receives a state visit from Australian Governor General David Hurley at the Bogor Presidential Palace on Friday morning, May 17, 2024.
Presidential Special Staff Coordinator Ari Dwipayana confirmed this via a short message to Tempo. "Yes, there is a state visit from the Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia, His Excellency the Honorable General David Hurley AC DSC (Ret.)," he said.
In his statement, Ari did not elaborate further regarding the meeting agenda between both leaders. However, a press statement from the Australian Embassy in Jakarta said the visit is an opportunity to celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Hurley said Indonesia is one of Australia's most important strategic partners. He hopes that this collaboration will continue. "I aim to celebrate that friendship and acknowledge the many people from both nations who contribute to it during my visit," said the Governor-General, quoted from a written statement from the Australian Embassy in Jakarta.
Jokowi last met Hurley on July 4, 2023, on his visit to the Admiralty House in Sydney.
The Indonesian and Australian governments signed the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) in 2020 which paved new ways for trade and investment. The Indonesian Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs said in a written statement that IA-CEPA contributed to a 90 percent increase in trade volume.
Australia is a growing partner for Indonesia. In 2023, Australia's Foreign Direct Investment grew by 4.0 percent, or the equivalent of US$545.2 million. The amount of project investment increased by more than 200 percent.