TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government continues to strengthen its bilateral partnership with the United Kingdom, especially in trade and investments. After President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono met with British Prime Minister David Cameron last April, Prince Andrew arrived in Jakarta to follow up the issues discussed by the two state leaders.
After a meeting that lasted almost an hour, Andrew, who as accompanied by staff from the British Embassy in Indonesia, stated that Indonesia is an appealing investment destination for British investors and will encourage businesses in his country to invest in Indonesia.
As a result, Indonesia and the UK targets investments for trade and services between the two nations to increase to 4.4 billion pounds sterling, equal to approximately Rp77.9 trillion, by 2015. Currently, the trade and investment value between the two nations reaches 2.2 billion pounds sterling. This goal is in line with a partnership vision that has been designed until 2030.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa said that a number of investment sectors that have high appeal to the UK are in the private sector, including consumer, paramedic and health, and financial services. In turn, Indonesia will use the UK’s strength in the green economy.
Hatta said that aside from infrastructure, the meeting also specifically discussed four sectors. First, the UK agreed to continue the vaccine development project with Bio Farma.
Second, the partnership will revolve around food sustainability. Prince Andrew promised to invite British food producers using state of the art technology to Indonesia in order to help increase production capacity.
Energy was the third focus of the meeting where the Indonesian government has opened up an opportunity for British investors to develop renewable energy infrastructure in order to fulfill the need for electricity in remote islands.
The fourth focus of the meeting was an effort to reduce the Indonesian manufacturing sector’s dependability on raw material imports.
Meanwhile, the British Ambassador to Indonesia, Mark Canning, said that bilateral partnerships between the two nations would not only be limited to trade and investments, but would also include science, innovation and education.
PRAGA UTAMA | NAFI
