REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesia will establish cooperation with some European companies in several areas, the Minister of State Owned Enterprises (SOEs), Rini Soemarno, said here on Wednesday.

The minister said President Joko Widodo is scheduled to visit the European Union Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on April 19, 2016.

"The government will establish cooperation with Siemens for education and development of local content, and with Rolls Royce for engine maintenance services. In addition, PT Antam (a mining company) will also partner with Ferrostaal for processing ferronickel into stainless steel," Rini explained.

Earlier, the Indonesian government had spoken with the Rolls Royce's management about maintenance of the aircraft engines produced by the British company.

"The government wants Indonesia to become a service center for aircraft engines made by Rolls Royce," Rini said.

The Rolls Royce aircraft engines are used by almost all aircraft manufacturers in the world, such as Boeing, Airbus and Embraer.

Currently, the EU is the fourth-largest trading partner of Indonesia with trade value reaching US$26.14 billion in 2015. Of this, Indonesia's surplus amounted to $3.02 billion, slightly down from $4.21 billion surplus in 2014.

Indonesia's main exports to the EU countries include machinery, motor vehicles, pharmaceuticals and oil fuel.

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