Jokowi Hopes That Indonesia-New Zealand Cooperation Will Commit To Increase The Economy

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) attended a bilateral meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, at the Park Hyatt Hotel, Melbourne, Australia, on Tuesday, March 5.

The meeting was held to discuss various strategic issues and cooperation between the two countries in various fields.

Jokowi emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships between the two countries, especially in the economic and development fields.

In addition, he hopes that under the leadership of PM Luxon, cooperation between Indonesia and New Zealand can continue to advance concrete implementation of comprehensive partnerships.

New Zealand is Indonesia's strategic partner. I hope that under His Majesty's leadership we can continue to advance the concrete implementation of comprehensive partnerships, especially in the economic and development fields," he quoted the Secretariat, Tuesday, April 6.

Meanwhile, one of the focuses of discussion is the decline in the value of trade between the two countries which reached 18 percent last year. Therefore, Jokowi emphasized the need to create new opportunities to increase interaction between business and trade actors, including in the halal sector.

In the energy sector, Jokowi appreciated the close geothermal energy cooperation between the two countries, including the commitment to funding 15.6 million New Zealand dollars in the Indonesia-Aoteroa New Zealand Geothermal Energy Program (PINZ) program.

"I hope that investment can continue to be increased, especially to support the acceleration of geothermal energy development and energy transition efforts in Indonesia," he continued.

In addition, the two heads of government also touched on the cooperation between the two countries in the Pacific region. Jokowi appreciates New Zealand's support for the implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and hopes for New Zealand's support in the Pacific Islands Forum.

In addition, Jokowi invited PM Luxon to attend the 10th World Water Forum in Bali, which will discuss issues related to water and sanitation amid the impact of global climate change.