Jakarta__ Chilean President Michelle Bachelet began her state visit to Indonesia, with hopes of strengthening political ties, according to Prensa Latina.

The president will take advantage of the occasion to talk with her Indonesian counterpart, Joko Widodo, about the desire to end the negotiations of the free trade agreement (CEPA) this year.

She is also scheduled to meet with ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh. The exports of Chile to the members of this agreement amounted in 2016 to 820 million dollars, still below the potential.

The Asean, founded in 1967, is made up of Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, and is based in Jakarta.

Chile acceded last year in July to the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation (TAC) of the ASEAN.

But Indonesia's particular case calls for efforts by the southern country to improve export conditions for fruit, salmon, wine and forest products to the world's largest archipelago with more than 260 million people.

The populous Jakarta, with 10 million residents that reach 30 million with its metropolitan area, witnessed today the floral wreath that the president laid in the Kalibata cemetery of the National Heroes.

Indonesia is a key point within the ASEAN to host its general secretariat and will undoubtedly be a significant event at the 1st Conference of the Strip and the Road, based in Beijing on Sunday and Monday and with the presence of Bachelet as well.

At the corporate level, the Industrial Development Society of Chile and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Indonesia will sign a Memorandum of Understanding following a meeting in the morning.

Joko Widodo and the Chilean dignitary will make a Joint Declaration on CEPA and will initiate an agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic, official or service passports.

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