Indonesian President Joko Widodo's visit to Egypt is still expected to take place, although the exact timing is uncertain, Egypt's envoy to Jakarta Amr Mouawad said in press statements on Monday. Mouawad said the two countries continue to exchange calls with a view to finalising the visit, which will likely take place either in late 2017 or early 2018. If the visit is delayed until the new year, it will be due to Indonesia's presidential elections, said the ambassador. Mouawad also provided details about the Egyptian community in Indonesia, expressing his regret that few Egyptians live in Indonesia due to the language barriers and a lack of job opportunities. He said that bilateral trade between the two countries currently stands at $1.4 billion. The planned visit by Widodo is in return for the September 2015 visit to Indonesia by Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi. Egypt's El-Sisi visited Indonesia as part of an Asian tour, becoming the first Egyptian president to visit the country since 1983. He met with his Indonesian counterpart Widodo, with the two leaders discussing joint efforts to combat extremism and terrorism and the strengthening of economic ties.
