SINGAPORE: At a joint press statement in Semarang, Central Java, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Long made a commitment with President Joko Widodo that Singapore and Indonesia will increase cooperation in five areas, including investment in industrial estate.
In the bilateral meeting in Wisma Perdamaian (House of Peace) in Semarang City, Pm Lee said, “It was my first official meeting with President Jokowi. Indonesia is a close partner and neighbor of Singapore. The meeting was a good opportunity for us to discuss on ways to expand our relationship.”
And President Jokowi said, “Singapore is an important partner of Indonesia in various fields. Next year Indonesia and Singapore will mark 50 years of diplomatic relationship.”
President Jokowi and PM Lee launched an industrial estate, the Kendal Industrial Park, a project being built through bilateral cooperation in Central Java Province.
Mr Jokowi said, “Especially with regard to investment cooperation in Kendal Industrial Park, PM Lee and I agreed that this will be a new icon in our bilateral relations.” Kendal Industrial Estate is being developed by PT Jababeka Tbk in cooperation with Singapore Sembawa Corporation.
Mr Lee said that Singapore also looks to expand investments in industrial estate areas in Batam, Bintan and Karimun.Additionally, Singapore agreed to establish an Indonesia-Singapore Business Council to increase business and investment between the two countries.
Singapore is also interested to invest in Indonesia’s 35,000 Megawatt electricity program, PM Lee said.And Mr Lee and Mr Jokowi also discussed cooperation in security issues, including counter terrorism measures.
Another thing being discussed by the two leaders was related to tourism, in the development of new tourist destinations in Indonesia, including opening a cruise line. PM Lee noted that both countries have the potential to increase the number of tourist visits to each country by opening a cruise ship line.
PM Lee also expressed his appreciation for the warm reception of the citizen of Semarang as well as the local administration.In the period of January to September 2016, the Singapore Government investment in Indonesia has reached S$10 billion, an increase of 44 percent over the same period the previous year.
