Indonesian Deputy Minister of Trade Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri emphasized the importance of ensuring that this cooperation facilitates Indonesia's access to the European market, as well as boosts trade between the two countries.
She made these remarks during a meeting with Dutch Vice Minister for Foreign Economic Relations, Michiel Sweers, and business delegates in Jakarta on Monday.
Putri noted that as an archipelagic country with over 17 thousand islands, Indonesia requires substantial maritime infrastructure development that covers the development of modern ports, efficient logistics systems, and advanced maritime facilities to support smooth trade, increase navigational safety, and promote sustainable development.
She also stressed that water management is vital for Indonesia, especially in light of climate change and the growing water needs of the community and industries.
She views the Netherlands as an ideal partner due to its extensive experience in water management technology.
On that occasion, she also emphasized the importance of partnerships to develop efficient and sustainable agricultural technology as a main priority.
She stated that the Netherlands' excellence in precision agriculture can help improve the productivity and quality of Indonesian agricultural products.
The deputy minister reiterated efforts to accelerate the completion of the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA), which is targeted for completion in 2025.
Meanwhile, Vice Minister Sweers emphasized his country's support for Indonesia's targets of achieving an 8-percent economic growth within four years and becoming the world's fifth-largest economy by 2045.
He noted that nearly 100 Dutch companies are currently operating in Indonesia, seeking broader cooperation opportunities.
Regarding the partnerships, Sweers stated that the Dutch agricultural team will visit Purwakarta, West Java, for seed development, and North Sumatra for the horticulture sector development.
Meanwhile, water experts from the Netherlands will visit Semarang, Central Java, to adapt their expertise to local needs, while maritime companies will visit Makassar, South Sulawesi, to explore port development and South Sulawesi's strategic position as a regional hub.
The Netherlands is Indonesia's largest European investor and ranks eighth globally overall.
Over the past five years, trade between the two countries has grown at an average annual rate of 6.36 percent. In 2024, bilateral trade reached a total of US$5.7 billion.
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Translator: Shofi Ayudiana, Raka Adji
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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