President Ramaphosa Kicks Off Southeast Asia Visit with Indonesia State Visit

Jakarta: President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in Jakarta, Indonesia, for a State Visit to the Southeast Asian country. According to South African Government News Agency, the State Visit will kick off President Ramaphosa's three-nation visit to the region, which will also include a State Visit to Vietnam and a working visit to Malaysia. President Ramaphosa begins his visit in Indonesia at the invitation of President Prabowo Subianto. The itinerary includes a Welcome Ceremony at the Merdeka Presidential Palace in Jakarta, followed by a private meeting between the two leaders, setting the stage for official bilateral talks with ministerial delegations. President Ramaphosa will address the bilateral talks to outline the relationship with Indonesia and enhance cooperation in trade, agriculture, tourism, and defense. These discussions aim to adjust trade strategies amid changing global dynamics. A joint media briefing with the two leaders is expected after the talks. Prior to the State Visit, a South Africa-Ind onesia Business Forum was held to bolster trade relations. Indonesia stands as South Africa's third-largest trading partner in Southeast Asia. On the sidelines of the visit, President Ramaphosa will meet with key Indonesian business figures to explore further trade and investment opportunities. Both nations play significant roles in advancing South-South Cooperation and are part of BRICS. Their bilateral relationship extends over 350 years, tracing back to the mid-1600s when people of Indonesian descent first arrived in the Cape.