President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (L) and his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo. (Photo: VNA) Jakarta (VNA) – Vietnam and Indonesia have agreed to lift two-way trade to15 billion USD or above before 2028, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and hisIndonesian counterpart Joko Widodo told the press following their talks inJakarta on December 22.
Thetwo leaders said the talks had been a success, and the two sides reachedconsensus on a number of important cooperation areas.
TheVietnam-Indonesia strategic partnership has overcome challenges and become morereliable, with stronger economic ties, they said, adding that they agreed tofacilitate all-level visits and effectively implement cooperation mechanisms.
Theleaders said the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation has effectivelyrealised cooperation agreements and built an action plan to carry out thestrategic partnership for the 2024-2028 period. Two-way trade has been growingsteadily in a more balanced manner, making it easier for firms to diversifyinvestments and develop the digital economy and transformation, green economy,renewable energy, tourism, services and flight frequency.
Bothsides also pledged to enhance links in national defence-security, maritimecooperation, people-to-people and business-to-business exchanges.
PresidentPhuc said two-way trade hit 11.5 billion USD in 2021, two years ahead ofschedule, and the figure could reach 13 billion USD this year. The twocountries will celebrate the 10th anniversary of their strategicpartnership next year, opening up a new chapter in the bilateral relations.
Inorder to achieve the target of 15 billion USD or above in two-way trade before2028, President Widodo suggested Vietnam create favourable conditions forIndonesian goods to enter the country, particularly farm produce. He alsoagreed with President Phuc’s proposal to boost bilateral investmentcooperation.
Speakinghighly of Vietnam’s trust in Indonesian enterprises operating in the country invarious areas, President Widodo said Indonesia has invested in 101 projectsworth 611.7 million USD in Vietnam. He also hailed the Vietnamese Governmentfor dealing with problems faced by Indonesian investors.
Thehost told the press that the two leaders vowed to boost cooperation in cleanand renewable energy. He also welcomed the signing of deals in energy andmining, which, he said, will push forward the development of solar energy,hydrotechnology and smart grid networks. The Indonesian President alsolauded the effective partnership in electric motorbikes and electric vehiclebatteries.
Ontourism cooperation, President Widodo said the two nations will strive to reachthe number of pre-pandemic arrivals and complete plans to launch a new flightroute linking Da Nang and Java, and increase the frequency of flights betweenHo Chi Minh City and Jakarta.
Regardingregional and global issues, the Vietnamese and Indonesian Presidents promisedto intensify cooperation at regional and global forums, especially in theAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Nations.
On theEast Sea issue, they vowed to work together to promote a united andself-reliant ASEAN; uphold its central role and maintain ASEAN's common stanceon the East Sea issue; and ensure peace, safety, security and freedom ofnavigation and overflight in line with international law and the 1982 UnitedNations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Thetwo leaders also said they had discussed Indonesia's priorities during its 2023ASEAN Chairmanship Year. President Phuc congratulated Indonesia on fulfillingits role of G20 Chair in 2022 and committed to supporting Indonesia in its roleas the 2023 ASEAN Chair with the theme "ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth"./.
