JAKARTA - The Governments of Indonesia and Singapore have agreed to continue strengthening bilateral cooperation in efforts to develop industrial sector competitiveness, ranging from increasing investment to implementing vocational education programs. This is believed to encourage economic growth for both countries.
"We want to further strengthen bilateral relations, especially in the economic sector between the two countries. Moreover, Indonesia and Singapore are big capital for the ASEAN region," said Indonesian Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita after meeting Singapore's Minister of Trade and Industry, Chan Chun Sing at the Ministry of Industry, Jakarta, Tuesday (1/28).
In 2019-2020, there will be an industry 4.0 implementation training courses for 120 participants including management staff and industrial polytechnic teachers. Meanwhile, for the investment sector, there are several things that are expected to be carried out in cooperation with Singapore. For example, encouraging Singapore investment in the infrastructure sector specifically in supporting industrial and regional connectivity. Throughout the first semester of 2019, Singapore remained as the top investor in Indonesia, with an investment of USD 3.4 billion.
The next opportunity for cooperation is to explore the development of integrated industrial estates such as Kendal Industrial Estates, in other regions in Indonesia, especially outside Java. For example in North Kalimantan (Tanah Kuning), North Sumatra (Kuala Tanjung), North Sulawesi (Bitung), Central Kalimantan (Batanjung), Jambi, and Central Sulawesi (Palu). (LM)