Singapore (CU)_ Erick Thohir, Indonesia’s Minister of State-owned Enterprises, invited Singapore to further enhance economic cooperation. An official statement by Erick said, “President Joko Widodo has formed and appointed professional people who handle Indonesia’s sovereign wealth funds called INA. Many projects are prepared and very prospective because it will provide a good return”.
Erick explained that the government aims to drive the economy while also trying to regulate covid-19 pandemic. SOEs have 88 huge projects or investments to be made in the next three years. It is for this reason that Erick urged Singapore to work together to resume the economy. Singapore may become interested because the government is open to collaboration with foreign nations and entrepreneurs. The Minister of SOEs arranged a total of 13 meetings on Friday. The Minister of SOEs proposed three areas of cooperation namely energy, tourism and the financial sector to senior officials in Singapore. Erick expects Singapore to further proceed with this offer to enhance the economic cooperation.
Singapore officials praised Indonesia’s way of handling and treatment of covid-19. Indonesia is one of the countries that have taken the earliest initiative to procure the Covid-19 vaccine. Foreign Minister Vivian wrote a note in Facebook: “It was a pleasure to meet my friend, Indonesian Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir, in Singapore today. Mr. Erick has a wide and heavy portfolio and I am pleased that he was able to visit Singapore and discuss mutually beneficial cooperation”.
Singapore appreciated Indonesia’s offer to improve cooperation on economic matters. It not only facilitates cooperation in three areas delivered by the Minister of SOEs, but also enhances the bilateral economic cooperation between the two countries. Foreign Minister Vivian said, “Mr. Erick and I reaffirmed our strong bilateral relations, including in the economic field. It is pleased that in the midst of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the two sides continue to create opportunities for businesses in both countries to make new breakthroughs together and advance cooperation between Indonesia and Singapore”.
