TEMPO.CO, Nay Pyi Taw – President Joko Widodo said ASEAN countries must develop infrastructure, enhance investment and improve trade in order to make the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) a success.

“First, ASEAN countries must accelerate infrastructure and connectivity developments in ASEAN countries, between ASEAN countries and with partner countries,” said Jokowi during the ASEAN Summit plenary session in Nay Pyi Taw on Wednesday. He added the acceleration of infrastructure development must be carried out in accordance with the Masterplan on ASEAN Connectivity’s corridor.

The second step is enhancing investment, industry and manufacture. Jokowi underscored that under his administration, Indonesia would be open to business from any countries. “However, as a sovereign state, Indonesia must ensure its national interest remains unharmed,” he said.

He continued that ASEAN countries must uphold the principle of reciprocity and respect each other. Jokowi said the enhancement of investment between ASEAN countries was the key to success for AEC because trade between ASEAN countries was still low at 24.2 percent of world’s trade balance. “In the next five years, I hope the trade value between ASEAN countries can reach at least 35-40 percent.”

Jokowi hopes the gross domestic product of ASEAN countries will increase by two-fold from US$2.2 trillion in 2014 to US$4.4 trillion in 2030.

He added Indonesia would become a market in AEC next year and must be part of both regional and global production chains.

ANANDA TERESIA