President Jokowi Receives Swiss Vice President Visit

President Joko Widodo receives Swiss Vice President Doris Leuthard on Wednesday (30/3) afternoon, at the Merdeka Palace

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo received Swiss Vice President Doris Leuthard and the delegates at the Merdeka Palace, Jalan Medan Merdeka Utara, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday (30/3) afternoon.

In the bilateral meeting, the delegates led by Doris Leuthard, were among others:

1. Doris Leuthard, Federal Councillor, Vice-President of the Swiss Government and Head of the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications, DETEC, as the Head of delegates;
2. Yvonne Baumann, Ambassador of Switzerland to the Republic of Indonesia
3. Jean-Christophe Füeg, Ambassador, Head International Affairs, Federal Office of Energy, Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications, DETEC;
4. Jurg Brand, Head of Swiss Business Delegation;
5. Kurt Lotscher, Head Group Public Affairs Global Operations and Switzerland, ABB;
6. Kurt Lanz, Head of Infrastructure, Energy, & Environment Division, Economiesuisse; and
7. Daniel Derzic, Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Switzerland in Indonesia.

Economic Cooperation

After accompanying President Jokowi in the bilateral meeting with Doris Leuthard, Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi said that the meeting discussed the measures to increase economic cooperation. “Because the delegates included 10 large Swiss companies in industry and energy efficiency sectors,” Retno explained.

The meeting also discussed bilateral trade that increases significantly compared to the one in 2014. “Indonesia-Swiss trade in 2015 increased by 102 percent. Once again, it increased by 102 percent, with surplus is on Indonesia’s side” Retno added.

Another agreement in the meeting, Retno added, was to encourage some measures in order to increase investment, particularly investment from Swiss counterpart in Indonesia. “As of now, there are 150 Swiss companies operating in Indonesia,” Retno said.

According to Retno, the meeting also discussed the negotiation between Indonesia and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) which has not bring any result for the past three years. “We have agreed to negotiate. Thus, the negotiation on EFTA will be resumed immediately and this is a significant step in economic cooperation,” Retno added.

Another discussion in the meeting, Retno added, is on cooperation enhancement in vocational training, including tourism sector. “Development cooperation was also discussed in the meeting,” Retno explained.

One characteristic of the Swiss Government in development cooperation is its down-to-earth activity and the benefits can directly enjoy by working and middle class people in Indonesia. “It also covers our farmers and fishermen,” Retno said.

Doris Leuthard, Retno added, also invited President Jokowi to visit Switzerland next year.

The Swiss Vice President is also scheduled to hold another meeting with several ministers for the economy, and she is expected to sign a cooperation agreement with the Minister of Transportation Ignasius Jonan tomorrow.

“Tomorrow, the Government of Swiss and Indonesia will renew air service agreement between the two countries. It has been ratified before but it will be renewed in order to increase the number of flight from Swiss to Indonesia, and vice versa,” Ignasius said.

According to Ignasius, transportation sector including railways and aviation will be discussed tomorrow.

In the bilateral meeting, President Jokowi was accompanied by Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno LP Marsudi, Minister of Transportation Ignasius Jonan, and Indonesian Ambassador to the Switzerland. (EN/ES)(RAS/MMB/YM/Naster)