Indonesia, Singapore Agree to Promote Cooperation on Digital Economy, Tourism

President Jokowi and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong deliver a joint news conference after a bilateral meeting between the two leaders at The Istana, Singapore, Thursday (7/9). (Photo by: Bureau of Press and Media of Presidential Secretariat )

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said Indonesia and Singapore have agreed to boost cooperation in digital economy and tourism sectors.

“Cooperation on digital economy is no longer an option. It is a must. It will be a priority for Indonesia and Singapore,” said the President in a joint news conference with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at The Istana, Singapore, Thursday (7/9).

By combining investment, technology, with talent and youth market potential, the digital economy cooperation will make Indonesia as well as Singapore’s economy even stronger. “It will not only further make Indonesia and Singapore’s economy even stronger,” President Jokowi said.

President Jokowi also said that Batam is an idea place to develop cooperation on digital economy, among others, through the development of a digital park cluster in Nongsa, the development of a start-up incubator, as well as a training program for trainers both for IT workers and lecturers.

As for cooperation on tourism sector, President Jokowi said that there is a big opportunity that has not been optimized. According to the President, Indonesia has many tourism destinations, ranging from historical tourism, cultural tourism, natural beauties, culinary attractions, and shopping centers.

President Jokowi also said that Indonesia continues to develop 10 “New Bali” destinations, namely Lake Toba, North Sumatra; Bangka Belitung; Tanjung Lesung in Banten; the Thousand Islands and Kota Tua in Jakarta; Borobudur Temple, Central Java; Bromo-Tengger-Semeru in East Java; Mandalika Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara; Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara; Wakatobi, Southeast Sulawesi; and Morotai in North Maluku.

President Jokowi and Prime Minister Lee also agreed to promote cooperation on tourism sector by synergizing resources that the two countries have in tourism sector, among others, through joint tourism destinations, cooperation on operating cruise ships and cruise ship harbor construction, increasing investment in tourism infrastructures, as well as developing Meeting, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE).

In the beginning of his remarks, President Jokowi said that this year is a special year for both Indonesia and Singapore. “This year we commemorate 50 years of diplomatic relations between our two countries. Singapore has become Indonesia’s major partner in trade, investment, and tourism sectors and vice versa,” the President said.

In the meantime, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that Kendal Industrial Zone in Central Java which was inaugurated by President Jokowi and himself last year has been operating well. “The Industrial Park has attracted 32 confirmed tenants and almost US$500 million in investment, creating close to 4,000 jobs,” Prime Minister Lee said, adding that there are plans to establish a polytechnic in Kendal Industrial Zone to produce skillful manpower to support existing projects.

Also attending the joint press conference were Coordinating Minister for the Economy Darmin Nasution, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Minister of Education and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, Minister of Communication and Informatics Rudiantara, Minister of Industry Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Research, Technology, and Higher Education M Nasir, Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Thomas Lembong, Head of the National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB) Willem Rampangilei, and Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore I Gusti Ngurah Swajaya. (BPMI Setpres/ES) (BPMI Setpres/ES) (ES) (EP/YM/Naster)