Singapore, wapresri.go.id – Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore, Lawrence Wong, welcomed the initiative of Vice President K.H. Ma’ruf Amin regarding strengthening cooperation between the two countries in various fields.

“Thank you, Mr. Vice President, for your views and thoughts, as well as the suggestions submitted to strengthen bilateral relations between Indonesia and Singapore. As Your Majesty said, there is a lot of cooperation regarding a comprehensive partnership between the two countries,” said Lawrence Wong when receiving the visit of the Vice President at the Parliament of Singapore, Tuesday (18/10/2022).

Furthermore, Lawrence Wong said that one of the concrete collaborations that can be done is to increase the intensity and capacity of flights between Indonesia and Singapore. Because, as is known, the two countries have become strategic destinations for both tourism and business.

“We can see that the flights between Indonesia and Singapore are full, very popular. We can work together to increase capacity so that we can have more flights and encourage travel not only by airplane but also by ferry,” he explained.

The Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore also revealed that the digital sector has a high potential. Moreover, many countries already have good internet connections. Therefore the digital payment system between countries is also an excellent opportunity to build connectivity.

“We can produce a digital payment system that connects Singapore and Indonesia,” added Lawrence.

Meanwhile, from the Indonesian migrant worker sector, Lawrence Wong also conveyed Singapore’s commitment to maintaining the welfare of migrant workers in his country, including Indonesia.

“The welfare and interests of all migrant workers are important to us, including those from Indonesia,” he said.

“We will certainly do whatever is necessary to support the welfare and interests of these migrant workers whom they are taken care of so that they can live in Singapore properly,” Lawrence concluded.

In response to this, the Vice President appreciated the warm welcome from the Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore and his commitment to strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.

Closing the meeting, the Vice President also conveyed greetings from President Joko Widodo and invited the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore to come to Bali, Indonesia, for the G20 Summit.

“The President also extends his greetings to Prime Minister Lew and His Excellency the Deputy Prime Minister. He is waiting for the presence of the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister at the G20 Summit later in Bali,” the Vice President invited.

Presented to accompany the Vice President in this meeting were the Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno L.P. Marsudi, Ambassador of Indonesia to Singapore Suryo Pratomo, Head of the Vice President Secretariat Ahmad Erani Yustika, and Special Staff of the Vice President Masduki Baidlowi.

While the Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore was accompanied by Director General of Southeast Asia Catherine Wong, Principal Secretary to Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore Joshua Lo, Deputy Director Terrence Teo, and Country Officer Andrew Leung. (SM/LHS, BPMI – Setwapres)