Indonesia, Singapore Discuss Cooperation on Economy, Politics, Human Capital

President Jokowi receives a courtesy call from PM Singapore Lee Hsien Loong, at the Sanchaya Resort Bintan, Riau Islands province, Tuesday (25/1). (Photo: BPMI/Muchlis Jr)

Indonesia and Singapore have agreed on some bilateral cooperation, including on economic recovery, politics and security, and development of human capital.

“PM Lee and I discussed the efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various fields, especially in the economic sector and exchange views on various issues in the region,” said President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo in a joint statement with PM of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong after courtesy call at the Sanchaya Resort Bintan, Riau Islands province, Tuesday (25/1).

First, in the economic field, the two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in efforts to recover the economy in both countries. President Jokowi said that Singapore is Indonesia’s largest investor with an investment value of US$7.3 billion in January-September 2021.

“The retreat meeting noted that there were new investments worth US$9.2 billion, including in the field of new and renewable energy around Batam and Sumba Island and West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara province; as well as the construction of a logistics hub at the Tanjung Priok Port,” he said.

To support a green investment climate, the two leaders also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on energy cooperation and on green and circular economy development cooperation.

“Investment in energy and renewable energy continues to be a priority for the Indonesian Government in order to promote a green and sustainable economy,” said President Jokowi.

Then, the two countries also signed a cooperation document in the financial sector to maintain financial and monetary stability to support economic recovery. Previously, in November 2021, the Local Currency Bilateral Swap Agreement (LCBSA) and the Bilateral Repo Line between Indonesia and Singapore had been extended for one year.

“I also hope that the MoU between central banks related to payment innovation, anti-money laundering, and prevention of terrorism financing can be signed soon,” he said.

In addition, Indonesia and Singapore also agreed to complete discussions on support for increasing human mobility that is safe from COVID-19.

“To support safe human mobility, the two countries are currently finalizing cooperation on vaccine recognition and synchronization of interoperability of tracking and protection platforms owned by the two countries,” said President Jokowi.

Second, in the fields of politics, law, and security, President Jokowi welcomed the signing of a number of agreements ranging from extradition treaties, defense and security, to aviation safety cooperation.

“In the future, it is hoped that cooperation in law enforcement, aviation safety, and defense and security of the two countries can continue to be strengthened based on the principle of mutual benefit,” he said.

For extradition treaties, the President continued, in this new agreement the retroactive period was extended from 15 years to 18 years, in accordance with Article 78 of the Criminal Code.

Meanwhile, in the field of aviation safety, with the signing of a flight information region or FIR agreement, the scope of Jakarta’s FIR will cover all of Indonesia’s territorial airspace, especially in the waters around the Riau Islands and Natuna Islands.

Third, in a series of meetings, Indonesia and Singapore also agreed on cooperation in the fields of education and human capital development. The President emphasized that cooperation in the field of human capital has been a commitment of both parties since several years ago.

“For 2022, there will be human capital training between Singapore and the Riau Islands Provincial Government to strengthen capacity in the field of food industry 4.0 and supply chain,” he said.

The President added that such cooperation could be further developed in various regions.

“For a larger scale, I welcome the plan to sign an MoU on Human Capital Partnership Arrangement. This MoU will strengthen research collaboration and institutional strengthening, and student exchanges in order to strengthen the concept of the Freedom Campus in Indonesia,” he said. (FID/UN) (EST/LW)