Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang attended a reception hosted by the Indonesian Economic and Trade Office to Taipei (KDEI Taipei) to celebrate the 77th anniversary of its Independence Day Sept. 14 in Taipei City, reaffirming the government’s commitment to deepening ties with the New Southbound Policy partner country.
In his congratulatory remarks, Tien said as the leading economy of Southeast Asia with the largest Muslim population in the world, Indonesia holds a strategic position in the Indo-Pacific.
Indonesia, with its fast-growing economic power and global visibility, is the only Association of Southeast Asian Nations member state in the Group of 20, and is set to host the G20 Summit in November, he added.
Tien said the government will continue to enhance cooperation with its close neighbor on agriculture, education, investment, labor and trade, so that the partnership will continue to thrive in the post-pandemic era.
KDEI Taipei head Budi Santoso said Indonesia is expected to become the fourth largest economy in the world by 2045 with an annual economic growth rate of 5.7 percent.
Indonesia welcomes more Taiwan firms to conduct business and invest in the country, Santoso said, adding that his government will contribute to global economic recovery by promoting more equitable and sustainable global governance.
According to the MOFA, Indonesia is one of the top destinations for Taiwan tourists and businesses seeking to expand their presence in Southeast Asia. Around 200,000 Taiwan tourists and business travelers visit Indonesia on an annual basis, while over 2,000 local firms have invested in the country.
Taiwan is one of four destination countries recommended by the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture for students on government sponsorship to study overseas, and Indonesia has the second highest number of foreign students in Taiwan, the ministry added.
Launched by President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016 as a key plank in the government’s national development strategy, the NSP seeks to deepen the country’s agricultural, business, culture, education, tourism and trade ties with the 10 ASEAN member states, six South Asian countries, Australia and New Zealand. (SFC-E)
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