Jokowi: Indonesian SOEs Can Compete Globally If Transparently Managed

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) believes that Indonesian state-owned enterprises (BUMN) will be able to compete in the global arena if managed properly and transparently.

This statement was made by Jokowi when ending his official visit to the Philippines. Jokowi met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and several Philippine ministers.

"I believe that Indonesian SOEs, both in the work and defense sectors, if managed properly, if managed with transparent management will be able to compete in the international arena, in the global arena," Jokowi said as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, January 11.

In a meeting with Philippine Transport Minister Jaime Bautista, President Jokowi discussed the Joint Venture Kontrak of PT PP and PT Adhi Karya for the North-South Commuter Railway Project in the Philippines.

The President hopes that the cooperation can be followed up immediately with the laying of the first stone.

"We should be grateful because our SOEs, namely PT PP and PT Adhi Karya, managed to get two cooperation contracts through an auction worth IDR 8.5 trillion," said Jokowi.

Meanwhile, in a meeting with Philippine Defense Minister Gilberto Eduardo Gerardo C. Teodoro, Jokowi appreciated the Philippines government's trust and satisfaction with Indonesian defense industry products, such as light air vessels made by PTDI and warships made by PT PAL.

"And I hope (cooperation like) can continue to be developed, not only in the Philippines but also in other countries," said President Jokowi.

After completing his visit agenda in the Philippines, President Jokowi left for Vietnam to continue his agenda in a series of visits to three Southeast Asian countries.