Indonesia and Australia to strengthen food industry partnership

The governments of Indonesia and Australia agreed to intensify cooperation in the field of food security, including the supply of wheat, which is disrupted as a result of the aggravation of the geopolitical situation in the world.

This was stated by Indonesian President Joko Widodo after talks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who is in Indonesia on an official visit.

"It is important for us to strengthen food security. We are discussing efforts to maintain the food supply chain, including wheat, in the midst of this very difficult world situation," the Indonesian president said, quoted by the Indonesian national news agency ANTARA.

The head of state also stressed that both countries agreed to expand cooperation in the field of food industry, food innovation and supply chains, the agency said.

The President of Indonesia also noted the importance of strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the field of energy and combating climate change, the report said.

The Australian Prime Minister took the initiative in the talks to provide an initial $200 million grant for joint infrastructure development and climate resilience projects, the agency said.

Also, during the talks, the Australian Prime Minister confirmed that he intends to attend the G20 summit on the Indonesian island of Bali in November this year, and said that he "will work with President Joko Widodo to ensure that the summit is a success," ANTARA reports. .

The meeting between President Joko Widodo and Prime Minister Albanese continued at the botanical gardens of the Bogor Presidential Palace, where the two leaders planted a tree together and took a five-minute ride on bikes made from bamboo instead of metal or composite. The trip followed the Indonesian president's usual cycling route, which he rides on weekends, the report said.

The Australian Prime Minister's visit to Indonesia will last until Tuesday, June 7, the agency said.