Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The governments of Indonesia and the United Kingdom have made a commitment to boost cooperation between the two countries, especially in the areas of trade, goods and services, which could yield US$7 billion in 2015.
"Today His Excellency (HE), the Duke of York Prince Andrew, visited us as a representative of the United Kingdom to discuss trade and investment cooperation," the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa said here on Wednesday.
Rajasa further explained that the two countries had agreed to enhance their trading value to 4.4 billion pounds (US$7 billion) by 2015 from an earlier 3.06 billion pounds in 2013, 2.2 billion pounds in 2012 and 500 million pounds in 2011.
"This implies a boost given the current conditions and we will work hard to achieve the 4.4 billion pounds limit," he added.
The minister stated that the two countries had already developed a trade and investment vision for 2030 with the aim to boost more value added policies.
He also pointed out that the two countries had discussed three main subjects--the first being investment potential of the infrastructure sector in Indonesia, including water supply and sewage systems, ports, rail, airports, energy and communications.
Secondly, they discussed the Britain's private sector's interest in investing in Indonesia considering the country is a growing Asian economy with the rising consumption levels, including the largest population comprising a younger age group.
The third parameter deliberated upon was British investment in Indonesia, especially in the consumer goods, paramedics, health and financial services sectors.
"We talked not only about the usual exports of raw materials, but also about wanting to downstream superior products," Minister Rajasa said.
He added that Indonesia might learn how to work towards developing a green economy and environment from the U.K., and also emphasized that the country's food security should not be reliant on imports.
"Our food industry is great, it is very important for us. That should be our concern," he said.
However, Rajasa said he believed that Prince Andrew¿s visit had imparted momentum to the process of improved cooperation between Indonesia and the U.K., in addition to strengthening the two countries¿ relations.
Meanwhile, U.K. Ambassador for Indonesia HE Mark Canning stated that Prince Andrew's visit was a follow up to an earlier meeting between President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Prime Minister David Cameron in April of 2012.
"The visit had made a major contribution to U.K.-Indonesia relations, with the two having agreed to target doubling their mutual trade value to 4.4 billion pounds in 2015," Canning said.
The ambassador said that during the visit, Prince Andrew was also scheduled to meet with President Yudhoyono and Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan. (*/DWA)
