Foreign Minister Invited Australia To Invest In IKN Nusantara

Nusantara's zero point area in Sepaku District, Penajam Paser Utara Regency, East Kalimantan (ANTARA/Bagu Purwa)

JAKARTA - Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi invited Australia to invest in the development of the Nusantara Capital City (IKN).

This was conveyed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno in Canberra on Wednesday (8/2) during a courtesy call  (courtesy call) to the Governor General of Australia David Hurley and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

During the meeting, Retno conveyed that Indonesia-Australia relations were getting stronger and had produced various concrete collaborations that were beneficial to both peoples.

"We emphasize the importance of collaboration to strengthen the downstream industry in Indonesia," Retno said in a virtual press conference reported by ANTARA, Thursday, February 9.

"We also invite Australian investment in the construction of IKN," she continued

The Foreign Minister said that Indonesia and Australia are comprehensive strategic partners who both adhere to democracy, respect for human rights, and international law.

Retno also had the opportunity to visit the official residence of the Australian Governor General David Hurley.

During the meeting, Retno emphasized specifically the importance of strengthening people-to-people contact between the two countries, one of which is by intensifying the teaching of the Indonesian language in Australia.

"I also said when meeting with the Governor General of Australia that we have chosen to continue to strengthen relations with Australia. And if we commit to do that, then our relationship in the future will be better and will always benefit both parties," she said.

After Canberra, Retno will continue her trip to Adelaide for a day to co-chair the Bali Process Ministerial Conference and hold various meetings with foreign ministers and representatives of the delegation that will be in Adelaide.

Previously regarding the IKN, the Head of the State Capital Authority (OIKN) Bambang Susantono said a Government Regulation regarding investment incentives in the Nusantara IKN would be issued in the next few weeks.

"Insyaallah PP will (come out) in one or two weeks, God willing. So in the next two weeks we want to make a thorough socialization of what incentives will actually be given at IKN. In the PP, all will be seen," he said when met after the Mandiri Investment Forum (MIF) 2023 event in Jakarta, Thursday (2/2).

Bambang said later that special incentives at the IKN would be implemented thoroughly in all sectors to attract investment to the new capital city.