Fajarasia.co – On the sidelines of the 8th G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20), the Speaker of the Indonesian Parliament, Puan Maharani, held a bilateral meeting with the parliamentary leaders of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Australia. To the leaders of the parliaments of the two countries, Puan mentioned support for the project to build Indonesia’s new capital in East Kalimantan.
The meeting between Puan and the parliamentary leaders of the UAE and Australia was held separately at the Parliament Building, Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday (5/10/2022). The official opening of P20 will be held tomorrow.
At the beginning of her meeting with the Chairman of the National Federal Council of the United Arab Emirates, Saqr Ghobash, Puan mentioned the close relationship between Indonesia and the UAE. Moreover, the Jakarta-Cikampek II Elevated Toll Road was named after one of the UAE’s central figures, namely Mohamed Bin Zayed al Nahyan (MBZ) thanks to the country’s investment in Indonesia.
“This reflects the close relationship between the two countries,” said Puan.
Indonesia and the UAE themselves have built close bilateral relations for 46 years. Puan views that the relationship between the two countries is getting stronger because it is supported by the common values that Indonesia upholds, such as tolerance and moderation.
“I appreciate the value of trade between Indonesia and the UAE which has reached USD 4.0 billion in 2021. I hope this value can continue to increase as relations between the two countries improve,” said the first woman who served as Chair of the Indonesian House of Representatives.
Thanks to Mohamed Bin Zayed’s direct direction, who plays an important role in state policy, it is known that the UAE will invest US$ 10 billion or equivalent to Rp. 144 trillion which will be placed in funds managed by the Indonesia Investment Authority (INA). The funds will be used to assist Indonesia in developing infrastructure projects.
Furthermore, Puan appreciated the cooperation between Indonesia and the UAE through the signing of the Indonesia-United Arab Emirates-Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IUEA-CEPA) in July 2022 last July in Abu Dhabi. Puan hopes that the agreement can improve bilateral relations between Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates.
“Especially regarding the issue of sharia economics which is one of the priority issues of the two countries,” said the first woman who served as Chair of the Indonesian House of Representatives.
Puan also discussed the defense industry cooperation that has been developed between Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates, particularly in the form of joint production development such as the development of combat vehicles.
In a meeting with Saqr Ghobash, Puan also stated that the House of Representatives welcomed the increase in UAE investment in Indonesia, especially the United Arab Emirates’ investment in the National Capital City (IKN) Nusantara project which carries a green concept. The UAE has invested USD 20 billion, or the equivalent of Rp. 299.5 trillion (exchange rate of Rp. 14,975 per US dollar) for the project of Indonesia’s new capital city.
“The presence of the UAE’s investment in IKN will be a new symbol of the close relationship between the two countries. I hope that the formation of IKN development funding (IKN Fund) by INA and the UAE can run smoothly,” said Puan.
“In line with the priority issues of P20, I hope that the cooperation between Indonesia and the UAE will also focus on the green economy sector, such as investment and development of environmentally friendly technologies for economic transition. This is in line with the joint international commitment to tackle climate change,” he continued.
Meanwhile, at the global level, Puan hopes that the cooperation between Indonesia and the UAE will be further enhanced. Such as cooperation and collaboration between Indonesia and the UAE to strengthen multilateralism (reject unilateralism) and a collaborative approach in overcoming global problems.
Through the supervisory function, the DPR is also said to encourage the Government to follow up on the results of the visit of the President of the Republic of Indonesia to the UAE in June 2022. Puan detailed, starting from the continuation of cooperation in handling climate change through joint projects for mangrove development, strengthening cooperation in the defense industry, to increasing work cooperation in the field of education including a request for support for the establishment of a ‘School of Future Studies’ in Indonesia.
“Including cooperation in the development of the National Capital of the Archipelago (IKN). through this meeting. I hope that the cooperation that has been established between the two countries can run smoothly so that it can bring prosperity to both nations,” he said.
The discussion about IKN Nusantara was also discussed in a bilateral meeting between Puan and the Speaker of the Australian Parliament, Milton Dick. Some time ago, the Australian side stated that it was ready to participate in the IKN Nusantara development project with environmentally friendly infrastructure.
“I welcome Australia’s statement that it is ready to cooperate in the development of the Capital of the Archipelago and encourage its implementation,” said Puan.
To Indonesia, Australia also offers a climate change anticipation program. Australia under the leadership of Prime Minister (PM) Anthony Albanese hopes to further strengthen cooperation, especially between East Kalimantan and Australia.
“I appreciate the inaugural state visit of Australian PM Anthony Albanese to Bogor in the framework of the Annual Leaders’ Meeting in June 2022 as well as confirmation of the presence of the Australian PM at the G20 Summit in Bali and the awarding of scholarships in priority areas of the G20,” said Puan.
The grandson of the Proclaimer of the Republic of Indonesia, Bung Karno, also expressed his joy with the strengthening and solid bilateral relations between Indonesia and Australia. Puan reminded that Australia was one of the first countries to recognize Indonesia’s sovereignty after the proclamation of independence on August 17, 1945.
“The partnership between the two countries has continued to be strengthened since the declaration of Indonesia-Australia as a strategic partner in August 2018,” he said.
According to Puan, strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries can be done, among others, through the signing of the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) in March 2019, increasing the Working Holiday Visa quota to 5,000 participants per year. Including the addition of funds worth AUD 470 million for the ODA program and support for food security programs.
“I also appreciate the support for climate and infrastructure funding worth AUD 200 million as a form of follow-up to the Australia-Indonesia Joint Statement on Cooperation on the Green Economy and Energy Transition,” said Puan.
In economic cooperation, significant developments in relations between Indonesia and Australia can be seen in the implementation of policies on export-import, employment, telecommunications, investment, and electronic trade after the comprehensive IA-CEPA agreement. Australia has also committed to eliminating tariffs for Indonesian products entering the country, as well as reducing tariffs for Australian products entering the Indonesian market.
The tariff commitment will encourage a 76.4% increase in the value of Indonesia-Australia bilateral trade in 2021, where the value of Australia’s investment in Indonesia last year reached USD195.19 million. Puan believes that the value of Australian investment in Indonesia will increase again in line with the implementation of the IA-CEPA.
“Indonesia hopes that the IA-CEPA implementation roadmap can be implemented gradually and sustainably. I am also optimistic that the IA-CEPA will facilitate the intensification of people-to-people relations and socio-cultural cooperation, including the two-way movement of students in Indonesia-Australia,” he said.
Puan also encouraged the Australian parliament to encourage partnerships between Indonesia and Australia in mobilizing and opening up more investment in new clean energy projects that will drive the transformation of productivity, innovation, employment and economic growth.
“I support Australia’s green hydrogen project in Indonesia, which will be ready in 2022 because it is an industry-smart solution to drive joint efforts towards a more resilient supply chain,” said Puan.
Within the framework of strengthening Indonesia’s human resources, the DPR encourages partnerships in skills development, training, exchange of visa access, and recognition of shared skills. In particular, Puan appreciated the establishment of Monash University in Indonesia and hoped that there would be more partnerships with Australian Universities in Indonesia.
“I invite the Australian Parliament to jointly support and encourage the two Governments to continue to develop bilateral cooperation for the mutual welfare of the two countries,” he concluded.****
