President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (L) and his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo at the welcome ceremony in Bogor city on December 22. Photo: VNA

Vietnam and Indonesia have agreed to lift two-way trade to USD 15 billion or above before 2028, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo told the press following their talks in Jakarta on December 22, VNA reported.

The two leaders said the talks had been a success, and the two sides reached consensus on a number of important cooperation areas.

The Vietnam-Indonesia strategic partnership has overcome challenges and become more reliable, with stronger economic ties, they said, adding that they agreed to facilitate all-level visits and effectively implement cooperation mechanisms.

The leaders said the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation has effectively realised cooperation agreements and built an action plan to carry out the strategic partnership for the 2024-2028 period.

Two-way trade has been growing steadily in a more balanced manner, making it easier for firms to diversify investments and develop the digital economy and transformation, green economy, renewable energy, tourism, services and flight frequency.

Both sides also pledged to enhance links in national defence-security, maritime cooperation, people-to-people and business-to-business exchanges.

An overview of the talks. Photo: VNA

President Phuc said two-way trade hit USD 11.5 billion in 2021, two years ahead of schedule, and the figure could reach USD 13 billion this year. The two countries will celebrate the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership next year, opening up a new chapter in the bilateral relations.

In order to achieve the target of USD 15 billion or above in two-way trade before 2028, President Widodo suggested Vietnam create favourable conditions for Indonesian goods to enter the country, particularly farm produce. He also agreed with President Phuc’s proposal to boost bilateral investment cooperation.

Speaking highly of Vietnam’s trust in Indonesian enterprises operating in the country in various areas, President Widodo said Indonesia has invested in 101 projects worth USD 611.7 million in Vietnam. He also hailed the Vietnamese Government for dealing with problems faced by Indonesian investors.

The host told the press that the two leaders vowed to boost cooperation in clean and renewable energy. He also welcomed the signing of deals in energy and mining, which, he said, will push forward the development of solar energy, hydrotechnology and smart grid networks. The Indonesian President also lauded the effective partnership in electric motorbikes and electric vehicle batteries.

On tourism cooperation, President Widodo said the two nations will strive to reach the number of pre-pandemic arrivals and complete plans to launch a new flight route linking Da Nang and Java, and increase the frequency of flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Jakarta.

Regarding regional and global issues, the Vietnamese and Indonesian Presidents promised to intensify cooperation at regional and global forums, especially in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Nations.

On the Bien Dong Sea issue, they vowed to work together to promote a united and self-reliant ASEAN; uphold its central role and maintain ASEAN's common stance on the Bien Dong Sea issue; and ensure peace, safety, security and freedom of navigation and overflight in line with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The two leaders also said they had discussed Indonesia's priorities during its 2023 ASEAN Chairmanship Year. President Phuc congratulated Indonesia on fulfilling its role of G20 Chair in 2022 and committed to supporting Indonesia in its role as the 2023 ASEAN Chair with the theme "ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth".

Earlier the same day, President Phuc and the Vietnamese delegation laid wreaths at a monument dedicated to Indonesian national heroes in Kalibata Heroes Cemetery where 7,000 fallen combatants, national heroes, leaders and well-known persons of Indonesia are resting in peace.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc meets representatives of Vietnamese community in Indonesia. Photo: VNA

The same day, President Phuc met staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in Indonesia, the Vietnamese delegation at ASEAN and the Vietnamese community.

He is also scheduled to visit ASEAN Secretariat, meet the ASEAN Secretary General, ambassadors and chargé d'affaires of ASEAN member states, showing Vietnam’s appreciation for the bloc’s security, self-resilience and central role.

On the occasion, the President asked the Vietnamese Embassy and other representative agencies in Indonesia to continue fulfilling assigned tasks and materialise the outcomes of his visit, including propelling bilateral ties in innovation, a field of Indonesia’s strength.

They were also urged to work closely with the host authorities next year when Indonesia will assume the role of ASEAN Chair, help the two countries’ businesses navigate each other’s market and continue with citizen protection work, thus making practical contributions to the homeland.

During the trip, President Phuc is scheduled to meet with the speakers of the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly (lower house) and Regional Representative Council (upper house), as well as leaders of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Indonesia-Vietnam Friendship Association, and a number of large Indonesian enterprises.

The Vietnamese leader is also set to tour the headquarters of the ASEAN Secretariat, meet the ASEAN Secretary-General and ambassadors and chargé d'affaires of member countries’ delegations.

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