Indonesian Minister, US Ambassador Discuss Economic, G20 Issues

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto met with the US Ambassador to Indonesia Sung Yong Kim on Wednesday, Oct. 19, to enhance bilateral ties between the two countries.

During the meeting, the senior minister highlighted the US initiation in the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) under which the US plans to allocate $600 billion.

"Indonesia expects to be able to participate in the PGII initiation for strategic projects," Airlangga said in a statement.

The two leaders also discussed ways to improve economic and investment cooperation between the two nations.

Also read: Indonesia Continues to Finalize Preparations for G20 Summit

The trade volume between Indonesia and the US has so far reached $27.5 billion, an increase of 20.1 percent compared to the same period in 2021.

The two countries aim to increase trade by $60 billion within the next several years.

Meanwhile, Sung lauded the pandemic handling and economic recovery in Indonesia.

President Joko Widodo and the Indonesian government officials have worked hard to handle the pandemic and recover the economy, he said.

The envoy hoped that Indonesia and the United States to continue to cooperate for their mutual economic interest.

Also read: Indonesia, US Troops Hold Live-Fire Drill as China Tensions Mount

He also thanked Indonesia for its participation in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) which is currently discussing conceptual issues that will lay the foundation for IPEF negotiations soon.

They also discussed the preparations for the G20 Summit in Bali and concrete results that are aimed to be achieved as a follow-up to the summit.

They also spoke about potential investments and projects that the two countries private sectors are working on.

Meanwhile, Indonesia’s Ministry of National Development Planning or Bappenas is cooperating with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to accelerate development in Papua.

The US has unveiled a new initiative to expedite development in Papua and West Papua named the “Papua Collaborative Governance Indonesia Project” or "USAID Kolaborasi," the US Embassy in Jakarta said in a statement on Thursday.

Source: State News Antara