India, Indonesia explore potential of cooperation between Sumatera Islands and Andaman and Nicobar Islands

India and Indonesia today organised an investment forum where they explored the potential of cooperation and discussed ways to enhance business connectivity between Sumatera Islands and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as a follow up action after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit here in May.

During his first visit to Indonesia, Prime Minister Modi and President Joko Widodo had underlined the importance of stronger connectivity, particularly on sea links, in order to facilitate economic cooperation and people-to-people contact between two maritime neighbours.

The India Indonesia Investment Forum (IIIF) in Banda Aceh was attended by Indian Ambassador Pradeep K Rawat and officials of Andaman and Nicobar Administration and members companies of Andaman Chamber of Commerce representing sectors like energy, construction, trade in agro products and tourism, said a statement issued by the Indian Embassy here.

"The IIIF explored the potential of cooperation and to enhance business connectivity between the Provinces in Sumatera Islands of Indonesia and Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India," it said.

The event was jointly organised by Indian Embassy along with the Policy Analysis and Development Agency (PADA) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, and Provincial Government of Aceh & North Sumatra.

Indian companies like GVK Group, Apollo Hospitals and NIIT also made presentations on their capacities to execute projects in the airport Infrastructure, hospital and Healthcare, IT training.

The Indonesian team was led by Dr. Siswo Pramono, LL.M, Director General of PADA of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who gave an overall perspective on strengthening island connectivity between India and Indonesia.

Presentations from the Indonesian side were made by Chairman of Sabang Free Trade Zone, Regional Head of KADIN and Vice Chairman of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises and Creative Economy of KADIN.

Representative of Provincial Secretary of Aceh welcomed the Indian firms and gave them an overall outline on the opportunities for economic cooperation that can be developed between Aceh & North Sumatera and Andaman-Nicobar, namely tourism, especially cruise tourism and eco-tourism; air transport connectivity and sea transportation to facilitate trade between the two sides.

He also underscored that development of basic infrastructure was a top priority for their government and the authorities would facilitate Indian investments in the region and trade relations with India.

Director of Tourism, Andaman and Nicobar, said that Indian companies are exploring options to enhance elements of holistic development in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, including key infrastructure projects, digital connectivity, green energy, desalination plants, waste management, promotion of fisheries, and tourism-based projects.

Prime Minister Modi and President Widodo had welcomed the plan to build connectivity between Andaman Nicobar and Aceh to unleash the economic potentials of both areas.

"The visit of the Indian delegation to Banda Aceh and the India Indonesia Investment Forum was guided by the shared vision of Prime Minister Modi and President Jokowi and is aimed to implement the understanding," the statement added.