Saudi King Salman signs range of deals in Indonesia

Saudi Arabia's King Salman has signed a number of memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and cooperation agreements with Indonesia's president during his visit to the world's largest Muslim-majority country, state-news agency, SPA, has reported.

Both countries have agreed that the Saudi Fund for Development would help finance several development projects in Indonesia. Other MoUs were also signed in the fields of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), healthcare services, air cargo and freight, and fish resources.

The two countries affirmed the planned $6 billion refinery joint venture agreement between Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco) and Indonesian oil company Pertamina in Cilacap in central Java, according to news reports.

Both countries also signed agreements that included a Saudi commitment to provide $1 billion of financing for economic development and cooperation to combat crime.

Indonesia has expressed hopes of attracting billions of dollars of investments from the kingdom build cultural and religious ties and promote education. Saudi Arabia aims to open more Islamic schools in Indonesia, which will boost the number of scholarships for students.

Salman’s visit to Indonesia will be followed by other visits to Brunei, Japan, China and the Maldives.