Indonesia, Vietnam to Enhance Bilateral, Regional Cooperations
President Jokowi welcomes President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc at the Bogor Presidential Palace, Thursday (12/22). (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Thursday (12/22) held a bilateral meeting with President of Vietnam Nguyễn Xuân Phúc on the enhancement of regional and bilateral strategic partnerships.
“Vietnam has been Indonesia’s strategic partner since 2013 and in that meeting, we have discussed the enhancement of strategic partnerships, be it bilateral and regional partnerships,” President Jokowi said in a joint press statement with the President of Vietnam, at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java province.
In term of bilateral partnership, both countries have agreed to boost cooperation on trade sector. President Jokowi underscored that the trade value in 2021 amounting US$11.06 have exceeded the target of trade value set for 2023 which is at US$10 billion.
“During the past five years, the trade value increased by 9.77 percent. Therefore, we have agreed to set the new bilateral target of US$15 billion by 2028,” he said.
The President also asked his counterpart to encourage better access for export of agricultural products from Indonesia.
In that meeting, both leaders also discussed investment cooperation. President Jokowi expressed his appreciation to the Government of Vietnam for their support to Indonesian companies investing in Vietnam. The investment value of Indonesia in Vietnam is recorded at more than US$600 million in 101 projects. Therefore, President Jokowi underscored the importance of protection of Indonesian investors in Vietnam.
“I expect issues faced by Indonesian investors will be resolved so it can encourage new investment,” he added.
Both leaders also touched on the efforts to strengthen cooperation on clean energy as well as new and renewable energy. President Jokowi conveyed that he welcomed the signing of Memorandum of Understanding on energy and mineral resources sectors which is expected to encourage the development of solar power plant, hydropower plant, and smart grid.
“I also welcome the plan of Vietnam to collaborate with (Indonesia’s) State-owned Enterprises (SOEs) and companies, such as PT BTM and PT Wima in marketing Gesit electric motorcycle to Vietnam market, Indonesia Battery Corporation (IBC) in the investment of electric vehicle battery manufacturing, and PT INKA (state-owned train manufacturer) in purchasing components of electric bus,” he said.
Improvement of connectivity among the two countries was also discussed in the meeting. It is important to restore goods and tourism mobilities to that of pre-pandemic period by restoring direct flight routes from and to centers for business and tourism in both countries, creating new route from Da Nang to Denpasar and Hồ Chí Minh to Jakarta, and adding the number of Jakarta- Hồ Chí Minh City routes.
During the bilateral meeting, both leaders also discussed the negotiations on Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) boundaries. After 12 years of intensive negotiations, both countries have finally been able to conclude negotiations of EEZ boundaries based on UNCLOS 1982.
On regional issue, both leaders discussed efforts to boost ASEAN cooperation. During its chairmanship in 2023, Indonesia will prioritize ASEAN central role in maintaining regional stability and peace, and transforming Southeast Asian countries as the center for economic development.
For the record, three MOUs were signed in the meeting such as cooperation to eradicate terrorism, cooperation to eradicate illicit drug, psychotropic substances and precursors trafficking, and cooperation on energy and mineral resources. (FIF/UN) (RAS/MMB)
