Wahyu Dwi Anggoro
IDXChannel - Indonesia has encouraged the Netherlands to help develop the Southeast Asian country's semiconductor industrial ecosystem.
"Moving forward, Indonesia hopes to strengthen cooperation to develop semiconductor industrial ecosystem in Indonesia," Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said after meeting with her Dutch counterpart, Hanke Bruins Slot, in Jakarta on Tuesday (31/10/2023).
During the meeting, the two foreign ministers discussed a wide range of issues, including economic cooperation between both countries.
On trade ties, they shared the same views on the importance of finalizing negotiations for the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU CEPA) as soon as possible.
Retno also mentioned Indonesia’s concern on the discriminative policies of the EU against Indonesia’s commodities and expressed Indonesia’s appreciation for the Netherlands’ constructive efforts, among others through NISCOPS program and SustainPalm project in Indonesia.
"This project is very important to promote sustainable palm oil cooperation with Indonesia," Retno stated.
On investment cooperation, Indonesia invited the Netherlands to explore broader opportunities including on green investment.
Indonesia also appreciated the Netherlands’ commitment to supporting energy transition, promoting sustainability in Indonesia and to strengthen collaboration on sustainable port development, sustainable shipbuilding, and also on solar and windfarm energy.
Indonesia and the Netherlands have jointly launched the Plan of Actions (PoA) of the Comprehensive Partnership for 2024-2025.
The PoA will serve as a roadmap for our continued partnership and collaboration.
"I also welcome the signing of MoU on Cyberspace cooperation today, marking another field of cooperation on the emerging issue of cyber," Retno stated.
The Netherlands is the second largest trading partner for Indonesia in Europe. Last year, trade between the countries reached the highest record of USD6,23 billion.
The Netherlands is also the largest investor from Europe, contributing more than USD15.5 billion since 2013 with a yearly average increase of 15.8%.
"The Netherlands is one of the most important partners for Indonesia. Mutual respect and mutual benefits embodied in our bilateral relations including respect to sovereignty and territorial integrity," Retno explained.
"This year marks a decade of the two countries’ Comprehensive Partnership which started in 2013. I am glad to observe the Partnership has grown stronger over the past decade marked by the increase of high-level visits and initiatives and the signing of more than 30 bilateral treaties," Indonesia's top diplomat stated. (WHY)
