Indonesia Hopes to Promote More Cooperation with Norway

a bilateral meeting between President Jokowi and Prime Minister Erna Solberg in Hamburg Messe, Germany, on Saturday (8/7)

President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo said that the total trade volume between Indonesia and Norway in 2016 rose by 40.5 percent, compared to that in 2015, while investment sharply rose by 772 percent, including portfolio investment from Pension Global Fund Norway.

The President made the statement during a bilateral talk with Prime Minister of Norway Erna Solberg on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit, on Saturday (8/7) in Hamburg Messe, Germany. “We must maintain or even improve this positive trend,” President Jokowi told his Norwegian counterpart.

President Jokowi also said that Indonesia recently received investment grade status from three world rating agencies; thus, the President expects Prime Minister Erna’s support in the finalization of the negotiation of Indonesia – EFTA CEPA (European Free Trade Association Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) this year.

President Jokowi also hopes for support from Norway’s Government on the Norwegian Parliament’s Resolution of June 2, 2017, on palm oil. According to the President, the Resolution is not in line with the spirit of REDD+ cooperation between Indonesia and Norway and denied Indonesia’s efforts on climate change mitigation, environmental protection, and sustainable development.

“I believe the Government of Norway will support an open and fair trade cooperation,” President Jokowi said.

On the issues of maritime and fisheries, President Jokowi appreciated an increase in cooperation intensity on maritime and fisheries sectors between the two countries, including Norway’s support to the effort in eradicating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing in Indonesia. “I encourage the formalization of cooperation in this field, including the eradication of IUU Fishing, fisheries management, sustainable aquaculture, and marine protection,” President Jokowi concluded.

Joining President Jokowi during the meeting were Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, and Head of Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Thomas Lembong.  (EN/AS/ES) (RA/EP/YM/Naster)