Jakarta, wapresri.go.id – Vice President K.H. Ma’ruf Amin received the Ambassador of the United States (US) to Indonesia Sung Kim at the Vice Presidential Palace, Jl. Merdeka Selatan No.6, Jakarta, Tuesday (11/10/2022).
Starting the meeting, the Vice President expressed his appreciation for the US support for the Indonesian Presidency in the G20, where President Biden will attend the G20 Summit next month in Bali.
“Thank you for confirming President Biden’s presence at the G20 Summit next month in Bali. During the difficult global economic situation, the G20 must not fail. For this reason, the G20 Leaders’ Declaration is significant due to the upcoming summit,” said the Vice President.
Regarding the bilateral relationship between Indonesia and America, the Vice President observed that the relationship was progressing in various sectors.
According to the Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia report 2022, in 2020 and 2021, the US will become Indonesia’s 2nd most significant trading partner. While the previous year, the US became the 4th largest trading partner and export destination after China, Japan, and Singapore.
In addition, the value of RI-US trade during the pandemic continues to increase. Total trade value from January to July 2022 USD 23.9 billion, up 21.9% compared to the same period the previous year, with a trade surplus of USD 10.5 billion.
Meanwhile, in 2021, the total trade between Indonesia and the US will reach USD 37.02 billion, up 36.10% from 2020 to USD 27.2 billion. Indonesia’s exports also increased 38.4% to USD 25.77 billion, and Indonesia’s imports rose 31.1% to USD 11.25 billion. Indonesia’s total trade surplus is worth USD 14.5 billion.
Although it is still far from the agreed target, which is USD 60 billion in 2024, the trend of bilateral trade between Indonesia and the US over the last five years, 2017–2021, increased by an average of 6.85%.
Referring to the report, the Vice President also hoped that Indonesia-US economic cooperation must continue to be strengthened.
“Last year, our trade value reached USD 37 billion. However, that figure still does not reflect the trade potential of the two countries. The US economic partnership in Indonesia is important to excel,” said the Vice President.
“I also hope that Indonesia’s participation in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) will also be a way to support economic cooperation. Concrete cooperation is what Indonesia has always hoped for,” he added.
In supporting these efforts, the Vice President hopes that US investors can directly contribute to various programs in Indonesia, such as the construction of the New Capital City (IKN). He revealed that the process continues and is not something easy. Therefore, careful planning and private investment, including direct investment, are needed.
“Several countries have shown interest in investing in IKN. I hope US investors can also participate in IKN development, especially for the digital sector and new and renewable energy,” he concluded.
Responding to this, Ambassador Sung Kim stated that President Biden was looking forward to meeting with President Joko Widodo at the G20 meeting later. The panel will discuss various food, energy, and climate security challenges.
“We believe that our cooperation will advance the bilateral region, regionally and globally,” he said.
In line with the Vice President, Sung Kim stated that he would encourage US companies to explore opportunities in Indonesia, including opportunities in IKN development. He believes these companies are also monitoring the need for IKN development.
“I agree, the digital, new, and renewable energy sectors are exciting to explore,” he said.
Regarding IPEF, Ambassador Kim revealed that he had been involved in establishing the IPEF from an early stage. He also hopes that negotiations in this international forum can be accelerated.
“I hope that when the two countries (Indonesia-US) meet next month, [the negotiations] can be signed,” he said.
On this occasion, Ambassador Kim appreciated the security cooperation between the US and Indonesia Super Garuda Shield, which had just been completed.
“We recently completed the Super Garuda Shield, and this bilateral initiative involves 12 other countries. The potential for this [cooperation] is extraordinary,” he said.
Presented to accompany the US Ambassador, Deputy Political Counselor Todd Campbell, Deputy Economic Counselor Dovie Holland, Air Force Attache Col Michael Brown, and Cultural Affairs Officer Emily Norris.
Meanwhile, the Vice President was accompanied by the Head of the Vice President Secretariat Ahmad Erani Yustika, Deputy for Government Policy Support and National Insight Felix Wanggai, Director General of America and Europe at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Umar Hadi, and Special Staff for the Vice President for Communication and Information Masduki Baidlowi. (SM/LHS-BPMI, Setwapres)