Indonesia’s global and regional importance is growing. While the impressive economic performances of China and India are well known, the expanding economic and political significance of ASEAN and its largest economy, Indonesia, is increasingly attracting the attention of the world.
It is with this in mind that I have come to Indonesia, in order to acknowledge the excellent relations between Sweden and Indonesia, the European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Indonesia’s important ASEAN chairmanship in 2011 makes my visit to Jakarta even more timely and interesting.
We are witnessing the continued and growing importance of ASEAN, a driver in fostering regional integration in Southeast Asia and in Asia as a whole. The economic development of the ASEAN region is impressive.
Southeast Asia has come out of the global financial recession well, owing in great part to painstaking but necessary reforms following the Asian financial crisis in the late 1990s.
Today, Southeast Asia is one of the most dynamic regions in the world and home to several important emerging markets.
Looking ahead, I am convinced that ASEAN will continue to develop as an organization promoting further integration and becoming an ever more important force for stability in the region.
The EU has had official relations with ASEAN for more than 30 years and is its oldest dialogue partner.
The connections between our regions are obvious in terms of trade and people to people exchanges.
Efforts are underway to strengthen and broaden the relationship further, including through preparations for EU accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.
Free trade is a cornerstone of Swedish foreign and trade policy. As the negotiations under the Doha Development Agenda enter a crucial phase this spring, we welcome Indonesia’s leadership role in identifying priority actions to be taken to combat protectionism and to boost global trade.
Trade is the most important element for development. In this regard, I hope that Indonesia will soon also be able to enter into free trade negotiations with the EU as part of the EU’s overall negotiations with ASEAN countries.
In its capacity as a Chair of ASEAN this year, Indonesia plays a significant role in bringing free trade issues forward.
Indonesia is a key regional player. Globally, as the world’s third largest democracy and a member of G20 and other important groupings, Indonesia is in a position to play an increasingly important role as a bridge-builder between established and emerging democracies and between countries at different stages of development.
The emergence of Indonesia during the past 10 years as a vibrant democracy and thriving economy is an achievement that we welcome and follow closely from in Sweden and in the EU.
The democratic process seems more solidly rooted in Indonesia than in many other parts of the region — another reason why Sweden considers Indonesia a most valuable partner.
Despite great geographical distances, our bilateral trade relations date as far back as to the 18th century, in 1733, when the Swedish East India Company’s trading ship “Fredericus Rex Sueciae” sailed these waters and for the first time embarked Batavia. These 278 years of friendship between the city of Jakarta and Sweden will be celebrated when the Governor of Jakarta, Fauzi Bowo, and I will have a tree planting ceremony today at the National Monument Park — Monas.
Several Swedish companies have maintained a presence in Indonesia for many years; some, such as the Swedish telecom company Ericsson, for more than a century (1907).
Today, bilateral trade is developing rapidly with growing interest on both sides.
Thus, it is with great pleasure that I visit Jakarta to participate in the opening of the Indonesia office of the Swedish Trade Council. On this important visit, I am accompanied by more than 25 Swedish companies in the energy, clean tech, telecom and transport sectors.
That again shows the commitment of Swedish businesses to building relations with Indonesia and to contribute to its development.
Indonesia is an important partner for Sweden in meeting global challenges. We see particular potential for strengthened cooperation in the area of environment and sustainable development.
Indonesia has shown strong commitment to tackling environmental degradation and climate change.
However, its rapid development, not least in urban areas, as in other emerging economies, poses a threat to the environment.
In this new era of industrialization, managing environmental and climate-related challenges, such as ensuring adequate energy supply and sustainable infrastructure, will be key to sustained development.
This is an area where we believe Sweden has a clear comparative advantage with extensive and long standing know-how and technologies that we would like to share beyond our borders.
During my visit, my colleague Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu and I will inaugurate a seminar on “Green Growth” to share experiences on how to meet urban challenges of today.
I will also be discussing these issues with Minister of Environment Gusti Mohammmad Hatta and Minister for Public Works Djoko Kirmanto.
It is my conviction that Sweden and Indonesia have a great deal to gain if we coordinate our efforts and reinforce cooperation in this field. In my view, environmental technology might very well be the ‘next big thing’ in the successful history of Swedish-Indonesian partnerships.
Our bilateral relations have never been better and span over an ever-growing range of issues. My visit today follows a number of exchanges in recent months, including the third session of the Swedish-Indonesian human rights dialogue in Jakarta, followed by bilateral consultations in Stockholm.
In the coming months, my colleague Göran Hägglund, Minister of Health and Social Affairs, will visit Indonesia, bringing an extensive healthcare delegation, closely followed by the visit to Jakarta of the Speaker of the Swedish parliament, accompanied by a high level delegation representing all political parties in Sweden.
Sweden is looking forward to further solidifying its strong and sustainable partnership with Indonesia.
Indonesia is in a position to play an increasingly important role as a bridge-builder between established and emerging democracies.
The writer is Swedish Minister for Trade. She visits Jakarta on Feb. 6-9
Indonesia is in a position to play an increasingly important role as a bridge-builder between established and emerging democracies.
The writer is Swedish Minister for Trade. She visits Jakarta on Feb. 6-9
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