PRESIDENT JOKOWI INVITES SINGAPOREAN BUSINESSMEN TO INVEST MORE IN INDONESIA by Fardah

    Jakarta, July 30, 2015 (Antara)- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) made his first state visit to Singapore on July 28-29, 2015 although he had visited the neighboring country on several occasions since he was installed as Indonesia's seventh president in October 2014.      
    The president's state visit to Singapore was aimed at advancing economic cooperation between the two countries.

         So far, Singapore has been one of Indonesia's chief partners in the fields of trade, investment and tourism.

         Besides hoping to strengthen the existing sound bilateral relations between the two neighboring countries, Jokowi also tried to convince Singaporean businessmen to invest more in Indonesia.

         "We only have to look at the history to prove that those who have the courage, those who arrive early, are the ones who have benefited," Jokowi told more than 200 CEOs attending the Indonesia-Singapore Business Dialogue held on July 28, 2015.

         In his speech, he stated that Indonesia is in the process of making fundamental reforms to strengthen its economy.

         Indonesia has taken various measures to create a favorable investment climate, including improving regulations, simplifying investment licensing procedures and ensuring political as well as security stability.

         "Do not wait till they have all been completed. It is now the right time for you to invest," he told the business leaders.

         Jokowi invited Singaporean businessmen to invest in Batam, Bintan, and Karimun especially.        
    The Indonesian government will solve the prevailing problems in the free trade zones in Batam, Bintan, and Karimun.

        "As soon as the problems are solved, we will once again invite as many investors from Singapore as possible to invest in Batam, Bintan, and the surrounding regions," Jokowi stated upon his arrival in Singapore.  
    The president acknowledged being aware of several prevailing problems concerning regulations and regional authorities that could hinder investment in Indonesia.

         Therefore, he plans to establish a special office to handle the problems in Bintan and Karimun.    
   "We know that Singapore ranks first, with the largest investment in Indonesia. We hope that in future, more investors from Singapore will do business in Indonesia," he noted.

        "Second, I agree that Singapore and Indonesia can establish cooperation in (tourism) promotion by formulating a joint destination package," he remarked.

         Jokowi hoped that the cooperation to promote tourism would increase the number of tourists visiting Singapore and Indonesia.   
    In a meeting with Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong, Jokowi emphasized the importance of ensuring regional security and stability to maintain a favorable atmosphere for business and economic development.

         In view of that, the two leaders agreed to boost cooperation to overcome terrorist threats and the propagation of radicalism, as well as to increase defense cooperation by fostering better understanding between the armed forces of the two countries.    
    The two countries have agreed to exchange information on terrorism or ISIS.

         "As we know, this has become a challenge for almost every country and not only for Indonesia, which is very concerned about the problem," he added.   
    After holding the bilateral meeting,  Jokowi and Lee witnessed the signing of three memoranda of understanding (MoU) on cooperation between the two countries.

         "Today, I am glad to witness the signing of MoUs on e-governance, and youth and sports affairs because the agreements will add new dimensions to the close relations between Indonesia and Singapore," Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said at a press conference with Jokowi, at the Singaporean Presidential Palace on July 28.

         The three MoUs are related to e-governance, youth and sports affairs, and strategic cooperation between the chambers of commerce of the two countries.

         The agreement on e-governance was signed by Administrative Reform Minister Yuddy Chrisnandi and Singaporean Minister of Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim.       
    "This MoU is an important milestone in the bilateral relations between the two countries. The governments of Indonesia and Singapore pay attention to the benefits and importance of cooperation between the two countries, especially with regard to bureaucratic reforms, one of which is e-governance," Chrisnandi said in a press statement.

         The document on youth and sports affairs was signed by Youth and Sports Affairs Minister Imam Nahrawi and Singaporean Minister of Culture, Youth and Social Affairs Lawrence Wong.

         The agreement on strategic economic partnership was signed by Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Suryo Bambang Sulisto and Chairman of the Singapore Business Federation Teo Siong Seng.

         During the visit, President Jokowi also met Singaporean President Tony Tan Keng Yam.

         He hailed Singapore's commitment to encouraging investment in Indonesia and hoped for more, especially in the fields of infrastructure and integrated industrial zones like Batam, Bintan and Karimun.

         The two leaders commended the development of economic relations between the nations, as well.

         Currently, Singapore is the largest investor in Indonesia, with its investment in 2014 amounting to US$2.8 billion, a 24.2 percent rise from that in 2010.

         In addition, Singapore has an industrial zone project in Kendal, Central Java, which is the country's biggest investment outside the Riau Islands province. This is a cooperation project between Singapore's SembCorp and PT Jababeka.

         During his two-day visit to Singapore, President Joko Widodo was accompanied by among others First Lady Iriana, Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu, Cabinet Secretary Andi Widjajanto, Finance Minister Bambang Brodjonehoro, Trade Minister Rachmat Gobel, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno LP Marsudi, Coordinating Minister for Culture and Human Development  Puan Maharani, Coordinating Minister for Economy  Sofyan Djalil, Chief of Investment Coordinating Board Franky Sibarani, and Presidential Communication Team member, Teten Masduki.

         Last but not least, the visit was wrapped up with the naming of an orchid species after Indonesian First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo at the National Botanical Garden of Singapore (NBGS), on July 29, 2015.

         The orchid species named after Iriana Jokowi was earlier called Dendrobium christabela, and now, it has been renamed to Dendrobium Iriana Jokowi.

         First Lady Iriana Jokowi said she was honored as such a beautiful flower has been named after her.

         President Jokowi described the naming of an orchid after his spouse's name "Iriana Jokowi" as an impressive diplomatic step by Singapore.

         "This is called flower diplomacy, wherein a flower is used as a medium to build friendship. I am impressed by this different approach in diplomacy," he affirmed.

         Singapore has also named other orchid species in the NBGS after Ani Yudhoyono, the wife of former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, as well as Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel. ***3***
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(T.F001/A/F. Assegaf/Bustanuddin) 30-07-2015 21:50:24