Japan Committed to Supporting Indonesia in Various Aspects

Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi with Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister Motegi Toshimitsu on the 7th Indonesia-Japan Strategic Dialogue in Jakarta, Friday (10/1). (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

The Japanese Government is committed to supporting Indonesia in economy and human capital, Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister Motegi Toshimitsu has said.

In addition, Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi said that Japan is also committed to supporting Indonesia in investment, trade cooperation, and development of the Integrated Maritime Affairs and Fisheries on the 6 outermost islands of Indonesia.

“Specifically for Natuna; other than fishing industry, Japan will help grant fisheries monitoring vessels and explore the development of the tourism industry in the region,” Retno said on the 7th Indonesia-Japan Strategic Dialogue in Jakarta, Friday (10/1).

Japan is also agreed to continuously expanding investment in Indonesia, supporting industrial modernization, and Indonesia’s desire to become a re-export hub for Japanese manufacturing products.

Retno also welcomed Japan’s interest in the construction of the new capital. “I invite Japan to develop a ‘smart metropolis’ concept of the new capital, such as science city and forest city,” said the Minister.

To support Indonesia’s palm oil campaign, Retno continued, Japan is ready to send expert team to help improve the sustainability aspects of Indonesian palm oil. In addition, Retno also invited Japan to invest in tropical fruit sanitary technology in order to increase Indonesian fruit exports.

Furthermore, Indonesia and Japan have reiterated the two country’s joint commitment to realize more open economy and mutually beneficial trade cooperation.

In this regard, the two Foreign Affairs Ministers agreed to encourage the completion of outstanding issues in the Indonesia-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (IJEPA) and to complete the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement in 2020.

Motegi expressed his country’s readiness to support the Indonesian Government’s priority programs to realize superior human capital. “Japan is ready to provide support for the development of vocational training and Japanese language training, including for the state civil apparatus as well as Indonesian skilled workers who will be sent to Japan,” said Motegi.

In terms of cooperation in strategic sectors, the two Ministers agreed to arrange dialogue at the Deputy Ministerial level, while exchanging thoughts on the region and global issues, including the Indo-Pacific cooperation, Rakhine State, Central Timor, and the South China Sea.

Japan is Indonesia’s largest trading and investment partner. In the January-September 2019 period, bilateral trade among two countries was at U$S23.85 billion and the Japanese investment reached U$S3.24 billion from 2,810 projects throughout the country. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs/ES)

Translated by: Estu Widyamurti
Reviewed by: Yuyu Mulyani