Government of Indonesia-US Collaboration to Promote Economic Recovery

Jakarta, InfoPublik - The Government of the Republic of Indonesia (Ministry of Trade) and the United States government are collaborating to promote economic recovery by strengthening trade relations between the two countries.

Minister of Trade Muhammad Lutfi said Indonesia and the US have established close trade relations for a long time. Maximizing trade and investment potential between the two countries are necessary to maintain our relations.

"The US is one of the important trading partners for Indonesia. Likewise, Indonesia is an important trading partner for the US.  We need to strengthen and enhance the relationship between the two countries continuously. Therefore, our trade potential can continue to grow, and US investment in Indonesia can increase,” said the Minister of Trade in the official statement on a working visit to Washington DC, Saturday (3/27). The schedule of the official visit is to take place on March 24-28, 2021.

The Trade Minister explained that the total trade between the two countries in 2020 reached US$ 27.2 billion or Rp392 trillion, with a surplus for Indonesia of US$ 10.04 billion or Rp149 trillion.

Meanwhile, US investment in Indonesia in 2020 was recorded at US$ 480.1 million or around Rp6.9 trillion. The government considers the increasing potential in the investment value by creating closer trade relations.

"Products that contribute to positive growth in trade between the two countries include electronics, seafood, furniture, jewelry, and chemical products. The US is also one of the top 10 Indonesian investors,” explained the Trade Minister.

The Trade Minister further explained that his party would hold several meetings in a series of work visit activities with the newly appointed US Trade Representative (USTR) and Ambassador Katherine Tai virtually on Thursday (3/25).

"We agree that we will continue to enhance closer Indonesia-US cooperation in various fields with new enthusiasm and perspectives," he said. (photo: Ministry of Trade's Public Relations Bureau)

Author: Wahyu Sudoyo

Editors: Taofiq Rauf

Translator: Wilda Stiana