RI Joins BRICS, Luhut Says He Can Expand Market Access

Chairman of the National Economic Council (DEN) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. (Photo: Aris Nurjani/VOI)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the National Economic Council (DEN) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said that Indonesia's joining as a member of the Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) alliance will expand market access as one of the advantages.

According to Luhut, Indonesia's joining with BRICS countries is to get cheaper supplies of gas and crude oil so that it is profitable for the development of industries in the country.

"What are our advantages with BRICS, our market is bigger. Because this is a problem, if we are not careful with the problems in China now, and also the problems in Europe where gas now comes from Russia in their stops, there will be an energy crisis problem in Europe," he said at a press conference, Thursday, January 9.

Luhut emphasized by joining Indonesia as a BRICS country that Indonesia's position is sovereign and independent and does not side with one particular country.

"We are a sovereign country, a big country. I once wrote in South China Sea, I said Indonesia is too big to lead to any country. Indonesia is too big to side with one country. I mean at that time China and America," he said.

Previously, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto revealed that Indonesia had been accepted as a member of BRICS.

This is good news because it means that Indonesia is now joining a group of countries on Global South.

"It has been accepted by BRICS. So it's good because it means with various countries in global society we have entered the club," he told reporters, Wednesday, January 8.

In addition, Airlangga said that the joining of Indonesia as a full member of BRICS can participate in cooperation involving many countries and is expected to further open access to trade and investment.

"Yes, of course, trilaterally with multiple countries, right. Brazil, Russia, India, China. This will open up more trade and investment access," he explained.