"Kenya is building a megaproject, which is a mega corridor that goes through three countries (Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Sudan)," he told ANTARA here on Saturday.
The ambassador explained that diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Kenya had been established since 1979, and now, the economic diplomacy must be enhanced again, as Indonesia views African countries as attractive investment destinations.
Saripudin noted that both countries have been supportive of one another, especially at the United Nations. At the bilateral level, trade transactions of Indonesia and Kenya had reached more than US$500 million in 2021, which increased about more than 30 percent as compared to US$414 million in 2020.
He deemed this growth as extraordinary, as in 2019, the total trade transactions of both countries only hit US$234 million, increasing by more than 40 percent.
To improve economic bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Kenya, Saripudin and his team had striven for inviting stakeholders on ways to improve the relationship, such as by believing in one principle of economic and educational diplomacy through a paradigm shift.
"(Our efforts) are how to make Indonesia and Kenya, as two countries that barely know each other, to be closer," he stated.
Saripudin pointed out that most of the African countries' sectors are still untapped, so they become the main stage for investors. Hence, Indonesia must partake in the investment opportunities, especially in Kenya, he remarked.
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For instance, in supporting Kenyan infrastructure, Indonesia can invite its expansive state-owned enterprises (BUMN) in the construction field. Saripudin said this is a huge opportunity as Kenya currently targets expanding the number of affordable houses and offering several land concessions.
Moreover, he stated that in boosting the economic potentials between the two countries, Indonesia had created the International Developing Countries Partnership Scholarship (DCPS). For Kenya, Indonesia offers 18 scholarships for 15 master's degree students and three doctorate students.
Through the Indonesian Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology's program Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (Freedom in Learning and Campus), he ascertained that the quality of education in both countries can improve, thereby yielding the best human resources.
"In 20-25 years from now, the students will be the decision makers whose reference for making policies are from Indonesia," he remarked.
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Reporter: Kenzu Tandiah
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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