Indonesia, Canada Seek to Expand Cooperation in Infrastructure and Sustainable Development
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, has underscored significant opportunities to deepen cooperation with Canada in infrastructure, investment, and sustainable development.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the minister described Canada as a committed, capable, and reliable partner, expressing hope that collaboration in infrastructure and sustainable development would become a key pillar of bilateral relations.
AHY said Indonesia remains committed to advancing infrastructure development aimed not only at expanding physical infrastructure but also at improving regional connectivity, enhancing competitiveness, promoting balanced regional development, and strengthening national resilience.
He noted that Indonesia-Canada relations have evolved beyond traditional government-to-government engagement and are increasingly focused on practical, trust-based cooperation that delivers tangible benefits for the people of both countries.
“I see Canada as a trusted friend of Indonesia and a strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific region. A relationship built on patience, mutual respect, and a long-term orientation is an important foundation for the partnership between the two countries,” the minister said.
Earlier, AHY received Canadian Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor-Leste, Jess Dutton, for a courtesy call in Jakarta. During the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership between Indonesia and Canada, particularly in infrastructure, investment, and sustainable development.
A key focus of the discussions was the acceleration of the implementation of the Indonesia–Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (ICA-CEPA), which is expected to create new opportunities for trade, investment, and broader economic cooperation between the two countries.
AHY emphasized that the successful implementation of ICA-CEPA would mark an important milestone in bilateral economic relations and would yield maximum benefits through active collaboration among businesses, investors, institutions, and communities.
The meeting also explored opportunities for cooperation in water resource management, recognized as a strategic sector supporting Indonesia’s sustainable infrastructure agenda.
In addition, the minister welcomed Canada’s continued participation in Indonesia’s development initiatives, including cooperation between Export Development Canada (EDC) and the Indonesia Investment Authority (INA). He noted that the partnership has strong potential to attract investment in strategic sectors such as infrastructure, clean energy, renewable energy, and other projects that contribute to sustainable development.
