ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – The United States-ASEAN Business Council (US-ABC) expresses its full support for advancing business relations between the United States and Indonesia.
In a series of annual US-ABC visits on 3-5 December 2024, the US private sector delegation met with the Coordinating Minister for the Indonesian Economy, Airlangga Hartarto and related officials to discuss opportunities for cooperation in various strategic and sustainable sectors in Jakarta, Tuesday, 3 December 2024 .
Led by Ambassador Ted Osius, the US delegation consisted of senior officials from 50 Fortune 250 member companies, including Ambassador Brian McFeeters, Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director of US-ABC, and Batara Sianturi, Chair of US-ABC’s Indonesia Committee and CEO of Citi Indonesia. In this meeting, the two parties discussed strengthening trade and investment relations between the United States and Indonesia, as well as exploring cooperation opportunities that could encourage better bilateral economic growth.
Ambassador Osius conveyed US-ABC’s commitment to supporting Indonesia’s efforts to increase connectivity, financial resilience, food security, cooperation in the health and pharmaceutical sectors, and tourism.
“We believe that close bilateral relations between the US and Indonesia will not only strengthen the economies of both countries but also create a sustainable and innovative growth model for the region,” said Osius.
Minister Airlangga welcomed the support and collaboration offered.
“Partnerships with the US private sector can be a major catalyst to accelerate economic growth and achieve Indonesia’s vision of inclusive and sustainable development,” responded Airlangga.
On the digital economy issue, the audience agreed on the importance of collaboration to support the interests of the Southeast Asian region in negotiations on the ASEAN Digital Economic Framework Agreement (DEFA).
Both parties also highlighted US private sector investment opportunities in the clean energy sector, which is in line with one of President Prabowo’s development priorities, namely accelerating the clean energy transition in Indonesia.
“Indonesia is committed to achieving energy security by accelerating the development of renewable energy infrastructure, promoting renewable energy, and building carbon exchange,” said Airlangga.
The US private business sector can play an important role in supporting Indonesia’s commitment to clean energy development, especially in bioenergy, solar power, geothermal, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), to Small Modular Reactors (SMR) projects.
The two parties also discussed potential cooperation in the transportation sector, with a focus on opportunities for developing the aviation industry in Indonesia.
Boeing representatives at US-ABC conveyed projections that Indonesia will become the largest commercial aviation market in the Asian region by 2035. Boeing also welcomed Indonesia’s plans to increase its aircraft fleet in the near future.
Minister Airlangga said that Indonesia needs an additional aircraft fleet at competitive prices, in order to expand its flight network to all regions. Apart from that, Airlangga also welcomed the potential for developing the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) sector, by utilizing the facilities of the Batam Aero Technic Special Economic Zone in Batam.
At the end of the meeting, there was discussion regarding strategic steps to encourage Indonesia’s accession to international organizations, such as the OECD and CPTPP.
The accession process is expected to improve Indonesia’s investment rating, open up wider investment entry, and strengthen Indonesia’s position in the global market. (AT Network)
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