RI, FINLAND STEPPING UP BILATERAL TIES

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Nov 4 (Antara) - Indonesia and Finland are moving closer to stepping up bilateral relations, focusing on renewable energy and economic cooperation.         "We welcomed 11 top Finnish companies which want to do business in the fields of energy, information technology," Indonesian Prresident Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said in a joint statement with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto at the Merdeka Palace on Tuesday.          Bringing along with him executives of 11 top Finnish firms, President Niinisto is on a visit in Indonesia to discuss various topics of mutual concern, including regional and global issues as well as economic cooperation.          In a meeting on Tuesday, Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Finnish President Sauli Niinisto agreed to cooperate in various fields.          "We welcomed 11 top Finnish companies which want to do business in the fields of energy, information technology and infrastructure," Jokowi said.          According to Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi, both leaders discussed several bilateral matters, particularly cooperation focused on renewable energy and information technology.          "Indonesia and Finland agreed to explore cooperation in the fields of renewable energy and information technology. In terms of renewable energy, we will utilize the peatland areas," Marsudi stated.