I hope that the ASEAN-UK partnership will bolster our cooperation based on mutual respect and mutual benefit.Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) received a courtesy call from British Foreign Affairs Minister Elizabeth Truss at the Merdeka Palace on Thursday to discuss cooperation in carbon market exchange, lithium battery investment, and COVID-19 vaccines.
The discussion on these areas of strategic economic cooperation was a follow-up of the meeting between President Widodo and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
“First, (we discussed) the cooperation between the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) in establishing a carbon market exchange,” Widodo disclosed at the Merdeka Palace here on Thursday.
The second cooperation pertains to the mutual investment of Indonesia and the United Kingdom on cathode production development in the UK to meet the need for lithium batteries in the country and Europe, he said.
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“Indonesia through the factories here—built from our mutual investment—will provide the precursors needed,” the President added.
The third cooperation is on vaccines and biotechnology, he said. Indonesia has so far held discussions with Oxford University on the transfer of more students and researchers, he informed.
The pandemic has given many lessons on building a vaccine hub, developing medicines, and medical equipment, Widodo said adding that Indonesia is ready to become a hub for the region.
“Please convey these priorities to PM Johnson. Indonesia will send a team to immediately follow up this issue, and we surely praise the UK’s support for Indonesia’s G20 Presidency,” he said.
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The Head of State had earlier congratulated the UK for holding the Climate Change COP26 Summit in Glasgow, Scotland, on November 1-2, 2021 adding that the meeting with PM Johnson ran smoothly.
Speaking with Minister Truss, President Widodo said Indonesia is very pleased to support the UK as the dialogue partner for ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).
“I hope that the ASEAN-UK partnership will bolster our cooperation based on mutual respect and mutual benefit,” he remarked.
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In a statement cited by the Presidential Secretariat’s press bureau, Minister Truss said she views Indonesia as a key partner for 'Global Britain'. It is also the fourth most populous country in the world with 272 million citizens, she noted.
According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, Indonesia is projected to increase its gross domestic product (GDP) fivefold by 532 percent between 2020 and 2050, she said.
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“Stronger ties with Indonesia, as the fourth largest country in the world in terms of population and economic strength in the present and future, will help secure a successful future for the UK and share the results for our people,” Truss remarked.
During the meeting, the President was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi and State Secretary Minister Pratikno, while the British Foreign Affairs Minister was accompanied by British Ambassador to Indonesia Own Jenkins.
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Translator: Indra Arief, Juwita Trisna
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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