Jokowi Invites Germany To Share Technology And Access To Funding For Carbon Markets To Electric Cars In Indonesia

President of the Federal Republic of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited President Jokowi at the Bogor Palace. (Antara-Desca LN)

BOGOR - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) invited the German Federation to participate in processing the potential of new and renewable energy in Indonesia.

"Regarding strengthening cooperation on climate change, I appreciate Germany's support in the construction of the Green Infrastructure Initiative (GII) worth 2.5 billion euros, including the construction of the world mangrove center which was just inaugurated a few days ago", said President Jokowi when giving a press statement with the President. Federal Republic of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, Thursday, June 16.

"Then the integration of green transmission in North Sulawesi worth 150 million euros and a geothermal energy pilot project worth 300 million euros. I invite Germany to be a partner in processing new renewable energy potentials in Indonesia", he continued.

GII or the Green Infrastructure Initiative is a collaboration between the Indonesian-German governments in supporting Indonesia's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions sustainably.

GII provides financial cooperation facilities for 5 years with a value of up to 2.5 billion euros or around IDR 40.7 trillion to support infrastructure projects that are relevant to the environment and climate through subsidized loans and promotional loans channeled through the German Development Bank (KfW).

The GII investment was agreed upon in bilateral negotiations on October 1, 2019, in Berlin for three thematic sectors, namely solid waste management, water and liquid waste management, and urban public transportation.

The World Mangrove Center was also just launched on June 11, 2022, by President Jokowi at the National Nursery Center, Rumpin, Bogor Regency.

In addition to environmental issues and climate change, President Jokowi also invites collaboration with Germany, which is currently the Chair of the G7 group.

The G7 is a group of seven countries, namely Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The G7 members are the countries that represent more than 64 percent of the global net worth or about 263 trillion US dollars.

"Fourth, the collaboration of the G20 under the Indonesian Presidency and the G7 under the chairmanship of Germany. The G20 and G7 have the same priority, namely the energy transition", said the President.

"I invite Germany and the G7 countries to contribute in various knowledge and technology as well as access to funding. I invite Germany to support the establishment of energy transition financing and the carbon market in Indonesia as well as cooperation in hydrogen research and electric cars", Jokowi added.

Diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Germany were officially opened on June 25, 1952. So this year, the two countries officially commemorate 70 years of diplomatic relations.

President Steinmeier's entourage arrived at Soekarno-Hatta international airport on Wednesday, June 15. They will be in Indonesia until June 17, after previously visiting Singapore on June 13-15 2022.

The focus of this visit is to discuss investment, trade, energy transition, and cooperation between the G20 and G7 in which Germany is the Chair of the G7 and Indonesia holds the G20 Presidency this year.