Posted on 24 Nov 2015
Indonesia’s cooperation with Japan
remains solid as the government expects investment from the East Asian nation
in infrastructure projects despite unavailing partnership in high-speed railway
development.
After his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Kuala Lumpur on
Sunday, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said Indonesia was willing to cooperate
in future infrastructure projects with Japan.
Jokowi said Indonesia “is very open [to engaging in future infrastructure
cooperation with Japan]”.
“This [bilateral meeting] shows that cooperation between Indonesia and Japan
will continue and strengthen further,” Jokowi said, adding that he also told
his counterpart that existing investment in infrastructure, manufacturing and
industry would continue as well.
“And I believe we need to take such opportunities,” he added.
Yet, Jokowi stopped short of commenting on whether Japan had expressed
disappointment over the unsuccessful high-speed train project cooperation.
The bilateral meeting with Abe took place amid stiff competition between Japan
and China to assert their influence in Indonesia’s economy since Jokowi took
office in October last year.
At the G20 Summit in Turkey last week, Jokowi held talks with Chinese President
Xi Jinxing.
The meeting resulted in China agreeing to offer a US$5 billion standby loan
related to a bilateral currency swap agreement (BCSA), in addition to a $15
billion commitment made previously. Under the existing agreement, Indonesia and
China agree to use yuan instead of US dollars in trading activities, among
others.
During Sunday’s bilateral meeting between Jokowi and Abe, both leaders
expressed their appreciation to each other for being able to have the bilateral
talks.
Abe underlined that Japan perceived Indonesia as its strategic partner,
expressing hope for the two countries to maintain cooperation, particularly in
terms of infrastructure development in Indonesia.
He said infrastructure development in Indonesia was also “important for
regional prosperity”.
Japan, he added, would maintain cooperation to help “high-quality
infrastructure development in Indonesia”.
The two leaders agreed to improve infrastructure cooperation, particularly
those related to electricity power generation and ports, according to a
statement from the presidential communications team.
Jokowi also thanked Abe for the scheduled arrival of a number of Japanese
businessmen and political figures led by the chairman of the Japan-Indonesia
Parliament League, Toshihiro Nikai. The Japanese delegates are slated to attend
an event in Jakarta on Monday.
The President also said he would
bestow an honorary medal upon Nikai at the State Palace on Monday.
Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi said the honorary medal was to honor Nikai for
his contributions in improving bilateral ties between Indonesia and Japan.
