"This is a big success recorded by Indonesia in overcoming the crisis in the past."London (ANTARA News) - Dutch Prime Minister Maxime Verhagen called on all crisis-hit European countries to learn from Indonesia on how to overcome the crisis and to create new hopes for a better economic growth.
Speaking on the occasion of attending a reception to celebrate the 67th anniversary of Indonesia`s Independence Day at the residence of Indonesian Ambassador Retno Marsudi in The Hague on Wednesday, Verhagen said that Indonesia ever hit by economic crisis in 1998 was able to reduce its debt ratio from 400 in 1998 to 25 percent within a period of 10 years.
In fact, Indonesia was able to maintain economic growth of 6.2 percent annually. "This is a big success recorded by Indonesia in overcoming the crisis in the past," he said.
Furthermore, the Netherlands with Rotterdam port and Schipol airport will remain as gateway for Indonesian commodities to enter European markets, he stressed.
In addition, the number of Indonesian students continuing their study in the Netherlands also recorded a remarkable increase.
In trade sector, Indonesia was exactly the third biggest trade partner in Asia after China and India.
However, Prime Minister Verhagen also put a stress on the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation in water management.
He highly welcomed a better progress in the implementation of democratic system and respect of human rights in the life of Indonesian people.
In response to the Dutch Prime Minister`s opinion, Ambassador Retno reiterated that development of economy and democratization in Indonesia should run unimpeded.
According to her, the bilateral policy of Indonesia with the Netherlands at present was more focused on economic cooperation as marked with high frequency in the visit of trade, investment and creative industry delegations from Indonesia to the Netherlands.
The ambassador also hoped that cooperation in creative industry sector could be made as a priority of economic development in the Netherlands.
(T.H-ZG/E002/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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