Jokowi Goes on ASEAN Tour to Bolster Trade Ties
Jakarta. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo flew Tuesday for a trip to some ASEAN member states, namely the Philippines, Vietnam, and Brunei Darussalam over the next few days.
Jokowi will first stop by Manila to celebrate 75 years of Indonesia-Philippines’ diplomatic ties. The two countries have shared close economic relations, among others, thanks to the Philippines’ military weapon purchases, according to Jokowi.
“Indonesia has made a quite significant investment in the Philippines,” Jokowi said at the Halim Perdanakusuma airbase in Jakarta, shortly before his flight.
Indonesia considers Vietnam a key trading partner, and the upcoming talks will focus on further boosting bilateral trade, according to Jokowi. The president plans to wrap up his ASEAN tour by attending Brunei’s prince Abdul Mateen’s wedding. Jokowi will also have appointments with Brunei’s businesses in hopes to bring back home some investments.
“I will be returning to Jakarta on January 14 [this weekend],” Jokowi said.
Government data shows Indonesia-Philippines trade stood at $14.4 billion in 2022. Indonesia’s trade with Vietnam reached $13.3 billion over the same year. Also in 2022, between Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam reached $897.3 million.
The Philippines has purchased warships from the state-owned shipbuilder PAL. According to the Philippine Information Agency, the country’s president Ferdinand Marcos Jr secured investment pledges worth $22 million when he met Indonesian business leaders during his Jakarta visit in September 2023. Marcos at the time was in Jakarta for the ASEAN summit.
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