"Palm oil is a very important and sustainable industry in Indonesia. We hope that palm oil exports will increase again," Boediono said during Prime Minister Ruttes official visit at the Vice Presidential Palace here on Friday.
PM Rutte is on an official visit to Indonesia from November 19 to 22.
The visit to Indonesia is the first for Rutte since he was elected prime minister on October 14, 2010. He was re-elected in November 2012.
In response to the Vice Presidents plea, Prime Minister Rutte said that he would try to resolve bottlenecks in Indonesian palm oil exports.
"I understand that there are 3.7 million workers in the palm oil industry, and that palm oil is a large and important industry for Indonesia. Hopefully, it can gradually improve," Rutte added.
PM Rutte noted that his visit to Indonesia could improve the relationship between both countries over the years. "Two economic agreements were signed yesterday (Thursday, Nov 21)," Rutte added.
On the occasion, Vice President Boediono said the two countries had potential to boost economic growth further, but there were major constraints on infrastructure.
Vice President Boediono invited investors from the Netherlands to collaborate in infrastructure development in Indonesia.
Boediono also said that Indonesia had other advantages, such as the large number of young people, commonly known as the demographic dividend.
However, Boediono said that Indonesia should be able to provide jobs in the next few years so that this large number of young people remains a demographic dividend, and not turn into a demographic disaster.
Another challenge faced by Indonesia is that these young people need to be educated or equipped with skills to take up jobs.
Also present at the meeting were Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, Minister of Trade Gita Wiryawan, Indonesian Ambassador to the Netherlands Retno LP Marsudi and the Netherlands Ambassador to Indonesia, Tjeerd de Zwaan Feico.
EDITED BY INE
(A050/KR-BSR/H-YH)
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
