TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto stated that the government is pursuing membership in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). If the plan is successful, he said, Indonesia will become the third Asian country to join after South Korea and Japan.

“[Indonesia] will be the first Southeast Asian country if it gets the membership,” Airlangga said at his office in Central Jakarta, on Thursday, August 10, 2023.

According to him, being a member of the OECD will bring a lot of benefits to the community because the OECD always applies regulatory standards or standards that are developed for a better life.

In addition, the membership will boost the country’s income per capita. OECD members have an average per capita income of more than US$10,000. “Meanwhile, Indonesia’s per capita income is projected to be US$5,500 next year,” Airlangga said.

Therefore, the standards applied in the OECD will become benchmarks and best practices for Indonesia, coupled with support for its development programs. “And we can be sure that we can escape the middle-income trap,” he hoped.

Airlangga met with OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann at his office today. One of the meeting agenda was the discussion about Indonesia's plans to become a member of the OECD. At present, the OECD has 38 member countries.

Airlangga claimed that all OECD member countries responded positively to Indonesia's plan given the country’s successful leadership in the G20 and current presidency of ASEAN. Besides, Indonesia’s economy was growing well after the COVID-19 pandemic while continuing economic reforms. The OECD also acknowledged Indonesia’s commitment to a green economy.

However, Airlangga said it would take a long time to become a member of the OECD, citing Colombia which took eight years to join the organization.

MOH. KHORY ALFARIZI

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