Airlangga Reveals US ABC Commitment To Support Strengthening Cooperation

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs (Menko) Airlangga Hartarto. (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto revealed that the United States-ASEAN Business Council (US-ABC) is committed to supporting strengthening trade cooperation between Indonesia and the US in the era of the new government.

"United States-ASEAN Business Council (US-ABC), which for the past four decades has committed to advancing business relations between the United States and ASEAN, expressed full support to Indonesia under the new government," he said in his statement, Wednesday, December 4.

The meeting was chaired by Ambassador Ted Osius, US delegation consisting of senior officials from 50 Fortune 250 member companies, including Ambassador Brian McFeeters, Senior Vice President and US-ABC Regional Implementing Director, and Batara Sianturi, Chairman of the US-ABC Indonesian Committee and CEO of Citi Indonesia.

During this meeting, the two parties discussed strengthening trade and investment relations between the United States and Indonesia, as well as exploring cooperation opportunities that could encourage better bilateral economic growth.

Ambassador Osius conveyed US-ABC's commitment to supporting Indonesia's efforts to improve connectivity, financial security, food security, cooperation in the fields of health and pharmaceuticals, and tourism.

"We believe that close bilateral relations between the US and Indonesia will not only strengthen the economy of the two countries but also create sustainable and innovative growth models for the region," said Ambassador Osius.

Responding to this, Airlangga welcomed the support and collaboration offered.

"A partnership with the US private sector can be the main catalyst to accelerate economic growth and achieve Indonesia's inclusive and sustainable vision of development," said Airlangga.

In the digital economic issue, the audience agreed on the importance of collaboration to support the interests of the Southeast Asian region in negotiating the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA).

The two parties also highlighted the investment opportunities of the US private sector in the field of clean energy, which is in line with one of the priorities for President Prabowo's development, namely accelerating the clean energy transition in Indonesia.

"Indonesia is committed to achieving energy resilience by accelerating the development of renewable energy infrastructure, promoting renewable energy, and building a carbon exchange," said Airlangga.

The US private business sector can play an important role in supporting Indonesia's commitment to developing clean energy, especially in bioenergy projects, solar power, geothermal, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), to Small Modular Reactors (SMR) projects.

The two parties also discussed the potential for cooperation in the transportation sector, focusing on opportunities for the development of the aviation industry in Indonesia.

Boeing's US-ABC representative said it was projected that Indonesia would become the largest commercial aviation market in the Asian region by 2035. Boeing also welcomed Indonesia's plan to add a fleet of aircraft in the near future.

Airlangga said that Indonesia needs an additional fleet of aircraft at competitive prices, in order to expand its flight network to all regions.

In addition, Airlangga also welcomed the potential development of the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) sector, by utilizing the Batam Aero Technic Special Economic Zone (SEZ) facility in Batam.

Airlangga said there were strategic steps to encourage Indonesia's accession into international organizations, such as OECD and CPTPP.

Therefore, Airlangga hopes that the accession process can increase Indonesia's investment rating, open wider investment entry, and strengthen Indonesia's position in the global market.