Joint press remarks by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi. [Photo credit: MFA]Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan is in Jakarta, Indonesia for his introductory visit.
Minister Balakrishnan called on Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan this morning. During the meeting, Minister Balakrishnan and Coordinating Minister Luhut reaffirmed the long-standing and strong bilateral relationship between Singapore and Indonesia. Coordinating Minister Luhut briefed Minister Balakrishnan on the Indonesian Government’s efforts to improve the investment climate in the Batam-Bintan-Karimum Special Economic Zone (BBK). Minister Balakrishnan and Coordinating Minister Luhut also discussed the importance of ensuring regulatory certainty for investors and improving labour relations in BBK.
Coordinating Minister Luhut briefly touched on the issue of the Flight Information Region (FIR). Singapore’s position is that the FIR issue is not an issue of sovereignty. The safety and efficiency of commercial air traffic is the paramount concern. This is a complex technical and operational issue under the ambit of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), and involves many other countries and airlines. The current arrangements have worked well for many decades for the benefit of the international aviation community by ensuring the safe and efficient provision of air traffic services in the region.
Minister Balakrishnan discussed possible bilateral cooperation in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and the digital economy with Indonesia’s Minister of Communication and Information Technology Rudiantara. Minister Balakrishnan highlighted how Singapore companies based in Indonesia may offer opportunities to talented students from Indonesian educational institutions in the field of digital technology and ICT.
Minister Balakrishnan also met with his foreign affairs counterpart, Minister Retno Marsudi, who also hosted Minister Balakrishnan to lunch. Both Ministers reaffirmed the multi-faceted and deep cooperation between Indonesia and Singapore, building upon decades of mutual trust and benefit. In this context, the Ministers agreed that it would be timely for the Singapore-Indonesia Leaders’ Retreat to be held soon. Both Ministers noted the strong economic ties between Singapore and Indonesia. Minister Balakrishnan noted that bilateral economic cooperation was growing steadily, and that Singapore companies were moving beyond the more familiar regions of BBK and Jakarta, and into other regions such as Central Java. Singapore is the largest foreign investor in Indonesia. Both Ministers agreed that the upcoming Kendal Industrial Park (KIP) in Semarang, Central Java, a joint-venture project between SembCorp Development and PT Kawasan Industri Jababeka, was an excellent example of the strength and depth of bilateral economic ties. The KIP is a 2,700 hectare project located 25 kilometres from Tanjung Emas Port in Semarang which is the only port serving Central Java. The industrial park will focus on manufacturing activities from light industries such as food processing, textiles, and electronics to heavy industries such as mineral ores processing. Both Ministers agreed that there was scope to explore other possible areas of cooperation, such as in tourism and infrastructure development.
Minister Retno also expressed the Indonesian Government’s appreciation for the Singapore Government’s efforts in ensuring the welfare of Indonesian workers in Singapore. Both Ministers discussed possible bilateral manpower cooperation.
Both Ministers exchanged views on the developments in ASEAN, including the South China Sea, and progress of the ASEAN Economic Community. They also discussed other regional and international developments including the developments in the Middle East.
Minister Balakrishnan also met with Governor of the Special Capital Region of Jakarta Basuki Tjahaja Purnama. They discussed ways in which Singapore could cooperate more closely with the Government of Jakarta in areas of mutual benefit. Governor Basuki hosted Minister Balakrishnan on a tour of the Jakarta City Hall and briefed him on the operations of the Jakarta Smart City Lounge.
Minister Balakrishnan will conclude his visit to Jakarta tomorrow.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
12 JANUARY 2016