Foreign Minister Calls RI And 10 Friends Countries Focus On Economic Cooperation

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi when delivering information after accompanying President Joko Widodo to receive a credentials from 10 fully ruling ambassadors at the State Palace in Jakarta (ANTARA/HO-Presidential Secretariat).

JAKARTA - Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said that economic cooperation was the focus of bilateral relations with 10 friendly countries who had just submitted an extraordinary and fully powerful ambassador (LBBP) credentials to President Joko Widodo.

"The focus of our bilateral relations with the 10 countries will focus a lot on economic cooperation," said Retno Marsudi in a statement received from the Presidential Secretariat as reported by ANTARA, Friday, December 8.

The ten countries in question are Denmark, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Rwanda, Pakistan, Cile, Laos, Canada, Jordan, and Angola.

The ambassador to full power from the 10 countries has submitted a credentials marking their assignment in Indonesia to President Jokowi at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Friday.

Retno explained that Indonesia's trade trend with 10 friendly countries has increased from year to year. In addition, of the 10 friendly countries, Indonesia's trade has experienced a surplus.

He added that the largest trade volume was made with Pakistan and the highest investment entering Indonesia was made with Jordan.

"The largest trade volume carried out of the 10 countries was Pakistan, which last year reached more than USD 4.5 billion. Meanwhile, in terms of investment entering Indonesia, Jordan held the highest position for last year, nearly USD 500 million," explained Retno.

In addition, Foreign Minister Retno said that Indonesia is currently negotiating investment agreements with Kazakhstan, including Indonesian investments with Cambodia, Jordan, and Angola which are experiencing an increasing trend.

In addition to economic cooperation, Retno said there were cooperation with several other issues, such as the protection of Indonesian citizens (WNI), cooperation in the industrial sector, and energy transition.

Regarding the eradication of online fraud with Laos and Cambodia, these efforts are being pursued through the cooperation of the two countries.

"Then we are also continuing to collaborate in the strategic industry, especially with Pakistan and Cambodia; while with Denmark, we are currently developing cooperation for the energy transition," said Retno.