Jokowi Alludes To The Importance Of GSP Trading Fility When Meeting Joe Biden

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) held a bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden at the White House, Washington DC, USA, Monday (13/11/2023) local time. (ANTARA/HO-Biro Press Secretariat President/Laily Rachev)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo when meeting with the President of the United States Joe Biden alluded to the importance of exemption from import duties or the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) for the economy of Indonesia and the United States.

"This is important for the supply chain and reduces the dependence of the United States on imports of RRT (Chingkok). Please support President Biden to continue to encourage the US Congress to accelerate the ratification of GSP," Jokowi said during a bilateral meeting with Joe Biden at the White House, Washington DC, United States, Monday (13/11) local time, as stated by the Press Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, November 14.

Jokowi assessed that the extension of GSP facilities from the US to Indonesia was one of the efforts to increase trade between the two countries.

Trade is one of the sectors that will benefit from increasing the status of the Indonesia-US partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).

"I am happy, we have agreed to improve the status of the partnership to become a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and it is important to ensure that CSP Indonesia and the United States benefit the people and contribute to the region and the world," Jokowi told Biden.

In addition, President Jokowi also reiterated the importance of wider and inclusive market access through the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) which is expected to facilitate the interests of developing countries.

"I hope IPEF can accommodate the interests of developing countries including the use of green subsidies from the Inflation Reduction Act," he said.

Furthermore, in terms of investment and development cooperation, President Jokowi welcomed the interest of investors from the United States in the development of the National Capital of the Archipelago (IKN).

Jokowi also encouraged investors to also help encourage the realization of a number of other strategic Indonesian projects.

"I welcome the interest of United States investors to develop IKN Nusantara and I would like to encourage the realization of strategic projects. Investment in petrochemical refineries in West Java, development of carbon capture storage in the Java Sea, processing nickel EV batteries, and operations of smelters in South Sulawesi and Gresik, as well as construction of panels and solar modules in Batang," he said.

On that occasion, President Jokowi also appreciated the lifting of US sanctions against Venezuela because it could re-operate Pertamina's affiliated company in Venezuela.

"It is possible for Pertamina through its affiliated company in Venezuela, Maurel et Prom, to return to operation," said Jokowi.