Jakarta (Antara Babel) -- Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has said he will continue monitoring the country's situation while on an official visit to the United States over the next five days.
"I will monitor the social, political, law and security related conditions from minute to minute, hour to hour, day to day," Jokowi said at a press conference at the Halim Perdanakusumah Air Force base here, before departing for the United States on Saturday.
Flanked by First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo, he departed from Jakarta Halim Peredanakusumah Airport at 05:45 p.m. Western Indonesia Standard Time (WIB).
Vice President Jusuf Kalla, a number of ministers and other state officials saw off President Jokowi.
In addition, Jokowi stressed that he will also monitor the efforts to extinguish forest and land fires and manage the situation arising out of the thick smoke billowing in the country.
"I have asked the Vice President, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, and relevant ministers to take steps (for extinguishing the forest and land fires)," he said.
With regard to his visit to the US, the President said the main goal is to enhance bilateral cooperation in the areas of investment and trade.
"Also, (apart from that) is the digital and the creative economy, as well as the development of democracy and (values of) tolerance," the President pointed out.
Jokowi said while in San Francisco, he will visit Silicon Valley and has a wish to build a digital technology axis.
"The success in developing a digital and creative economy is expected to benefit the Indonesian people, including those in rural areas," he said, adding that it is also expected to have a good impact on prospects of peace and enhancing people's welfare.
In the U.S., President Jokowi is scheduled to meet with President Barrack Obama at the Oval Office and a number of U.S. business leaders.
He is also scheduled to witness the signing of various business-to-business cooperation agreements between the two countries' businessmen.
