TEMPO.CO, Singapore - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) arrived in Singapore on Tuesday for the Indonesia-Singapore Annual Leader's Retreat. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong greeted President Jokowi upon arrival at the palace, residence and official office of the Singapore President. The two leaders later attended the greeting ceremony and inspected the guard of honor.

While in Singapore, President Jokowi will hold talks with Prime Minister Loong to discuss a wide range of issues including investment and vocational education, said Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno P. Marsudi.

The Leader's Retreat is an annual meeting held in rotation between the heads of government of the two countries.

During the Leader's Retreat held in Nusa Dua, Bali, on October 18, 2018, the two governments encouraged the strengthening of economic cooperation, particularly in the field of investments including the development of the Kendal Industrial Park and the Nongsa Digital Park.

The Kendal Industrial Park, which is the biggest industrial estate in Central Java, is a project between Indonesia and Singapore.

During the initial inauguration of the Kendal Industrial Park in 2016, President Jokowi had described the cooperation as a new step in the realization of cooperation between the two countries.

The Nongsa Digital Park, which is located in Batam City, Riau Islands Province, focuses on developing a digital-based creative economy. The park, inaugurated in 2018, serves as a digital bridge between Indonesia and Singapore.

Singapore is one of the biggest investors in Indonesia, with total investment at US$9.2 billion in 2018, Minister Retno said. The figure represents an 8.9 percent increase compared to the previous year including Singapore’s investment in the Kendal Industrial Park and Batam.

During his stay, President Jokowi will also discuss vocational education with Prime Minister Loong. Indonesia has established cooperation with Singapore Polytechnic in vocational education, the minister said.

ANTARA