A construction site in Indonesia (Source: AFP/VNA) London (VNA) – The UKgovernment is interested in boosting trade and investment cooperation with SoutheastAsian nations and considers the region the first test of its post-Brexit “Global Britain” strategy,according to the UK-based Telegraph newspaper.
Indonesia is seen as one of the first targets of UK firms in the region under thestrategy, which aims to assure the country’s economic, trade and investment influenceafter Brexit, the article said.
According to the PwC consulting firm, Indonesia will become the world’s fourthlargest economy by 2050, just behind China, India and the US. IndonesianPresident Joko Widodo has also pledged to open Indonesia to foreign investment.
British engineers could be handed lucrative contracts with Indonesia toregenerate its ailing road and rail networks.
The Department for International Trade hopes the successful regeneration of StPancras International and the Jubilee tube line, which are said to have dazzledIndonesian ministers during a recent visit to London, will give the UK anadvantage in securing investment.
However, British firms will face fierce competition with Chinese and Japanesetrade giants who are vying for influence over Indonesia’s booming economy.
AfterBrexit, leaders of the UK and Indonesia have met more regularly. Seven cabinetmembers of Indonesia visited London to discuss trade cooperation-relatedaffairs.-VNA
