Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Indonesian President Joko Widodo have agreed on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries and they have entrusted the foreign ministers to proceed with the process. 

President Sirisena met with his Indonesian counterpart on the sidelines of the Indian Ocean Rim Association Leaders’ Summit, which commenced yesterday (07) in Jakarta, with the aim of sustainable and balanced development of the member states in the Indian Ocean region. 

President Maithripala Sirisena participated in the inauguration ceremony, together with 21 IORA leaders.

Indonesian President Joko Widoda warmly greeted President Maithripala Sirisena at the inaugural session.

The Indonesian President stated that he would provide any required support for the development programs in Sri Lanka. The two leaders discussed to work with cooperation in the programs carried out to strengthen the democracy as democratic countries.

The President further stated that opportunities for Indonesian private and government investors could be opened. “The government is ready to provide required tax relief for them”, he said.

President Sirisena invited the Indonesian President for an official visit to Sri Lanka. He also requested to send a representative of the Indonesian government for the international Vesak festival to be held in Sri Lanka in May.

In the presence of the two leaders, two agreements on maritime and fishing cooperation and the cooperation on traditional industries were signed. 

21 leaders of the Indian Ocean Rim Association participate in the summit and the Sri Lankan President received high accolade from them, the PMD said.

The President also delivered a special speech at the Summit.