"I am optimistic that the US business delegation would optimize the opportunity to promote this cooperation, particularly in the development of infrastructure and human resources," President Jokowi remarked while receiving a visit of the US-ASEAN Business Council at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Thursday.
Related news: President Jokowi receives US-ASEAN Business Council delegation
While addressing 50 members of the council delegation, President Jokowi affirmed that relations between Indonesia and the United States are quite strong, particularly in economic cooperation.
"The US is Indonesia's fourth-largest trading partner. US investment in Indonesia is nearly US$1.2 billion," he noted.
Indonesia and the United States have also concurred on boosting the volume of trade to US$60 billion by 2024.
Related news: Indonesia earns US$161.3 million as trade surplus in October
At the start of his remarks, Jokowi expressed readiness to exchange views openly on the cooperation between Indonesia, ASEAN, and the US.
In 2018, ASEAN’s economic growth will average 5.1 percent, surpassing the global average.
Indonesia's economy in the course of the past five years has grown by over five percent. Indonesia and the ASEAN will move faster to achieve growth and equity, the president remarked.
Related news: Indonesia's economy forecast to record 5.05 percent growth in 2019
Related news: Indonesia's economic growth in 2020 to reach 4.8 percent: Indef
"We are open to cooperation with any country in order to realize mutually beneficial interests," Jokowi stated, adding that the US and ASEAN enjoy sound relations in the fields of politics and economy.
"The US presence not only benefits ASEAN but also facilitates stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region," he added.
Related news: Indonesia's seeks US cooperation in Indo-Pacific context
Related news: Indonesia urges us to strengthen economic cooperation with ASEAN
Translator: Agus Salim/Yashinta Difa Pramu
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
