Indonesia, Belgium agree to enhance economic cooperation
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Indonesia and Belgium have agreed to intensify economic cooperation, particularly in the fields of trade and investment.
Both nations reached the agreement during a meeting between Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Princess Astrid of Belgium at the Merdeka Palace here on Tuesday.
Princess Astrid is in Indonesia to lead a 300-strong Belgian business delegation from March 12 to 19. The business delegates are representing 127 companies.
The companies are engaged in the fields of construction, infrastructure, energy, clean technology, communication and information technology, food and beverage, financial services, transportation, logistics, marketing, and education.
Speaking to the press after accompanying President Jokowi at the meeting, Foreign Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi stated that Belgium is Indonesias key partner in terms of trade and investment.
“For instance, in 2015, Indonesia-Belgium bilateral trade reached US$1.67 billion, while (Belgian) investment (in Indonesia) reached more than US$7 million,” she noted.
Until now, some two thousand Belgian companies have been operating in Indonesia, she remarked.
At the meeting, President Jokowi briefed the Belgian business delegation on the governments efforts to make the economy more open and competitive.
“The president touched on the 10 economic policy packages that the Indonesian government has issued so far. One of the packages deals with the Negative List of Investment,” she added.
Questions & Answers
Q.What was the purpose of Princess Astrid of Belgium's visit to Indonesia?
What was the purpose of Princess Astrid of Belgium's visit to Indonesia?
Princess Astrid was in Indonesia to lead a 300-strong Belgian business delegation. The delegates represented 127 companies, aiming to enhance economic cooperation between the two nations, particularly in trade and investment.
Q.Which sectors are represented by the Belgian companies visiting Indonesia?
Which sectors are represented by the Belgian companies visiting Indonesia?
The companies are involved in various fields including construction, infrastructure, energy, clean technology, communication and information technology, food and beverage, financial services, transportation, logistics, marketing, and education.
Q.What figures indicate Belgium's importance as an economic partner for Indonesia?
What figures indicate Belgium's importance as an economic partner for Indonesia?
In 2015, bilateral trade between Indonesia and Belgium reached US$1.67 billion. Also, Belgian investment in Indonesia exceeded US$7 million, with around two thousand Belgian companies already operating there.
Q.What measures has the Indonesian government taken to attract foreign investment?
What measures has the Indonesian government taken to attract foreign investment?
President Jokowi informed the Belgian delegation about the government's efforts to open up the economy. He highlighted the 10 economic policy packages issued, one of which specifically addresses the Negative List of Investment.
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