by Ncaba Ntshakala
Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini joined global leaders at the official opening of the Joint Leaders Session of the 2nd Indonesia-Africa Forum held in Bali, Indonesia.
The Premier is representing His Majesty King Mswati III at the meeting. Dlamini was warmly received by Indonesian President Joko Widodo,
marking the beginning of a significant event aimed at strengthening ties between Indonesia and the African continent.
RELATED: Africans must reject foreign values destabilising cultural, moral fibre’
The 2024 Indonesia-Africa Forum has set the stage for transformative economic cooperation, with business deals amounting to a staggering E62.6 billion ($3.5 billion) poised to be signed.
These agreements are seen as pivotal in Jakarta’s strategy to explore non-traditional markets and enhance its economic footprint in Africa.
Leaders and business representatives from across Africa gathered in the picturesque resort of Bali to explore opportunities for collaboration.
In his opening address, President Widodo emphasized the importance of addressing global inequalities, highlighting Indonesia’s commitment to working alongside Africa to combat pressing issues such as hunger and poverty.
“The Indonesia-Africa partnership has borne incredibly concrete results, leading to a rapid increase in trade volume and various trade agreements,” Widodo stated when he expressed the forum’s success.
The substantial business commitments recorded at this year’s forum have been hailed as they signal Indonesia’s determination to turn its promises into tangible outcomes.
RELATED: Eswatini garners tourism interest at the 44th Fair in Serbia
The economic impact of the forum is said to be remarkable, with the 2024 edition marking an almost sixfold increase in business deals compared to the inaugural forum held in 2018.
Back then, the Indonesia-Africa Forum generated E10.1 billion ($568 million) in business agreements, a figure that pales in comparison to this year’s commitments.