Indonesia-Africa Forum Reveals $3.5 Billion in Business Contracts, but Measles Outbreak Casts Shadow Over Bali!

The Indonesian president on Monday announced his country's intention to sign commercial contracts totaling $3.5 billion with African countries during the second Indonesia-Africa Forum in Bali. The forum, which runs until September 3, aims to strengthen economic cooperation while Indonesia seeks to expand its export markets.

In his opening speech at the forum, Indonesian President Joko Widodo noted that "to date, the partnership between Indonesia and Africa has significantly increased the volume of trade and the number of trade agreements." Indonesia's Foreign Ministry revealed in a statement on Sunday that several Mous expected to be signed at the event include a geothermal energy project between state power company Perusahaan Listrik Negara and Tanzania Electricity Supply Company (TANESCO). And an agreement between the Indonesian pharmaceutical company Bio Farma and Ghanaian Atlantic Life Sciences LTD. The ministry did not provide further details.

Indonesian authorities also said they would step up surveillance at airports during the forum to prevent the spread of measles outbreaks. The measles epidemic was among the topics discussed at the Indonesia-Africa Parliamentary Forum over the weekend, according to state news agency Antara.