Coordinating Minister Airlangga: 70 Years Of Cooperation With Germany Brings Benefits To Development

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto (left) while attending the German Unity Day celebration in Jakarta (Photo: Doc. Coordinating Ministry for the Economy)

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto said that trade and investment are important aspects of bilateral relations between Indonesia and Germany. According to him, this is reflected in the collaboration of the two countries that have entered the age of seven decades this year.

"Indonesia and Germany also provide mutual benefits to development programs in each country," he said in a written statement while attending the German Unity Day celebration in Jakarta, Friday, October 7.

Airlangga explained, in 2021 Germany was Indonesia's largest trading partner among European countries with a trade value of US$6 billion.

"For the 2015 period to 2021, Germany's total investment has penetrated 1 billion US dollars with more than 250 German companies operating in Indonesia," he said.

Airlangga added that structural reforms carried out by the government through the Job Creation Act were also aimed at creating a better investment climate, including for German companies.

He believes that trade and investment between the two countries will be increasingly beneficial and increasing with the implementation of the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IU-CEPA).

Furthermore, Airlangga also revealed that at the same time Indonesia-Germany also increased collaborative efforts to develop clean and renewable technology, green infrastructure, and green financing.

"President Joko Widodo's visit while attending the G7 Summit at Elmau Castle, which is located in the Garmisch-Partenkierchen area, Germany, in June 2022 is Indonesia's commitment and participation to answer the current global challenges to the future,"

"Indonesia's presidency in the G20 coincides with the momentum of Germany's Presidency in the G7. Indonesia hopes that this year, the two countries can make the G20 meeting an important milestone for stronger relations," he explained.

On this occasion, Airlangga representing the Government of the Republic of Indonesia appreciated the active role of Germany in building partnerships in the ASEAN region. Furthermore, the two countries agreed on the initiative to establish a Joint Economic and Investment Committee for Indonesia Germany.

"On this occasion, allow me to express our great hope in welcoming German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Bali at the upcoming G20 Summit. I believe this is the time for the two countries to take advantage of the momentum by building a close partnership," concluded Coordinating Minister Airlangga.