Foreign Affairs Minister to Visit Rakhine State

Jakarta, MINA – Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi is scheduled to visit Myanmar on Sunday to inaugurate the construction of an Indonesian hospital in Muaung Bwe city, Rakhine State.

Armanatha Nasir, Foreign Ministry spokesman was quoted by Antara News as stating during a press briefing in Jakarta, Friday, that Marsudi would lay the first stone for the construction of Indonesia`s first hospital in Rakhine State during the groundbreaking ceremony.

The hospital development process has been undergoing since April, including the preparations of its design and permit.

The hospital complex will occupy an area of approximately 12,000 square meters with the building area being 8,000 square meters.

“We expect the hospital development to be completed some time by the middle of next year,” Nasir said.

The Indonesian hospital is a form of humanitarian assistance being made by Indonesia to the Myanmar people, and the hospital development has been funded by the Indonesian people through fundraising initiated by the Indonesian Medical Emergency Rescue-Committee (MER-C) in collaboration with the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) and the Indonesian Buddhist Representatives (Walubi) and private sector.

The construction of the hospital costs around US$1.8 million, he revealed. It will involve the local contractor and use materials from the surrounding areas in Myanmar for the purpose of mobilizing the local economy, he added.

The Indonesian hospital will be operational inclusively, regardless of the background of the local people.

After laying the first stone for the construction of the Indonesian hospital in Rakhine State, Marsudi is scheduled to visit Naypyidaw to attend the 13th Asia-Europe Ministerial (ASEM) Meeting, which will be held from Nov 20-21, 2017. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)