TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo welcomed British Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss at the Jakarta Merdeka Palace today, November 11.

During the meeting, they discussed strategic economic ties as a follow-up to Widodo’s talks with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

“First, the cooperation between the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) in the formation of a carbon market exchange,” said Widodo as quoted from the Presidential Secretariat’s statement on Thursday, November 11.

The two leaders also talked of joint investment in the development of cathode production in the UK to meet the demand for lithium batteries in the UK and Europe, as well as ties on vaccines and biotechnology. Indonesia has thus far communicated with the Oxford University to send more students and researchers.

According to Widodo, the pandemic has taught the archipelago about the importance of building more hubs for vaccines, medicines, and medical equipment. He emphasized that Indonesia is ready to become a hub for the ASEAN region.

Meanwhile, in the British press release today, Truss sees Indonesia as a key partner for Global Britain as the world’s fourth-largest country by population. Indonesia is predicted to more than quintuple its GDP by 532% between 2020 and 2050 according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (2021) forecast.

“Deeper ties with Indonesia—as the world’s fourth-largest country in terms of population and a present and future economic powerhouse—will help secure a successful future for Britain and deliver for our people,” Truss said.

During the meeting, President Jokowi was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi and State Secretary Minister Pratikno, while Elizabeth Truss was present with the British Ambassador to Indonesia Owen Jenkins.

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DEWI NURITA