Indonesian, German presidents discuss increasing economic cooperation

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Indonesian President Joko Widodo met with President of the Federal Republic of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, Thursday, discussing a number of bilateral cooperation, especially in the economic field.

“The bilateral meeting was very friendly and productive. And regarding bilateral issues, we focus on talking about economic cooperation,” President Joko Widodo said in a joint press statement with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier after the meeting.

The Indonesian president emphasized the importance of cooperation in Industry 4.0, especially the acceleration of human resource development.

“There has been an MoU between the Ministry of Industry and Deutsche Messe AG and with Infineon AG which will be signed this afternoon. In addition, Indonesia will become a partner country for the Hannover Messe in 2023, after also participating in the Industry 4.0 exhibition at the Hannover Messe in 2022,” he said.

The two leaders also discussed increasing German investment in high-tech industries, including investment in the electric vehicle sector from upstream to downstream, and the Indonesian head of state invited German industry to develop semiconductor factories and invest in various green industrial areas in Indonesia.

“I invite German industry to develop semiconductor factories in Indonesia and make this industry part of the global chip supply chain, and to invest in green industrial areas in Indonesia. I reiterate Indonesia’s offer to Germany to build a German Industrial Quarter in an industrial area in Indonesia,” President Widodo said.

He emphasized the strengthening of climate change cooperation, and invited Germany to be Indonesia’s partner in cultivating the potentials of new renewable energy sources in Indonesia.

“I appreciate Germany’s support in the construction of the Green Infrastructure Initiative worth 2.5 billion euros, the construction of the world mangrove center which was just inaugurated a few days ago, then the integration of green transmission in North Sulawesi worth 150 million euros, as well as a pilot project for the development of geothermal energy worth 300 million euros,” he said.

In relation to Indonesia holding the G20 presidency in 2022 and Germany holding the G7 presidency also this year, the Indonesian president encouraged collaboration between the two parties, especially in the energy transition which is a shared priority.

“The G20 and the G7 have the same priority, namely the energy transition. I invite the contributions of Germany and the G7 countries in knowledge and technology, as well as access to finance. I invite Germany to support the formation of energy transition financing and the carbon market in Indonesia, as well as research cooperation in the fields of hydrogen energy and cars,” he stated.

Reporting by Indonesia Window