Indonesia and Vietnam Pledge to Intensify Cooperation
Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: During a diplomatic meeting at the Vietnamese Presidential Palace in Hanoi, President of Indonesia Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and his Vietnamese counterpart, Vo Van Thuong, reached a consensus to enhance bilateral cooperation across various sectors. The leaders engaged in substantive discussions, demonstrating a shared commitment to fostering strong diplomatic ties. The meeting, held on Friday, underscored the mutual desire of Indonesia and Vietnam to deepen collaboration and explore new avenues of partnership for the benefit of both nations.
According to a press release received from his secretariat in Jakarta, President Widodo warmly welcomed the intensification of investment cooperation between Indonesia and Vietnam through their major companies.
“I believe that the Vietnamese government will protect and facilitate Indonesian companies to invest. I would also like to encourage Vietnamese companies to strengthen their investment in Indonesia,” he said at a joint press conference in Hanoi.
He informed that the Indonesian and Vietnamese governments have agreed to solidify bilateral cooperation in food resilience, both through the agriculture and fishery sectors.
“We have come to an agreement on strengthening our bilateral agricultural and fishery cooperation. The signing of a memorandum of understanding on fishery cooperation provides a crucial momentum to push both countries to collaborate in the sector,” he said.
The President also lauded the two countries’ decision to collaborate in the sectors of technology and information with the aim of advancing their digital industry.
He then lauded Vietnamese automotive company VinFast for its commitment to participating in the development of a suitable ecosystem for electric vehicles and their batteries in Indonesia.
“I gladly welcome VinFast’s commitment to placing capital in Indonesia to develop an ecosystem for electric vehicles and their batteries. We have also agreed to advance our cooperation in energy transition and digital economy to bring prosperity to our people and region,” he said.
Widodo further said that Indonesia and Vietnam have committed to continue investing efforts to maintain the stability and growth of the Southeast Asian economy.
“Indonesia and Vietnam have also agreed to continue to safeguard regional economic stability and growth by implementing the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and supporting Laos in this year’s ASEAN chairmanship,” he added.
Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir, Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, and Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono were among the officials who accompanied President Widodo to the bilateral meeting.
