JAKARTA: 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.