"We will make President Joko Widodo's visit today as a momentum to strengthen relations with Indonesia, considering that we will commemorate 65 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries."

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held a meeting at the latter’s Office in Tokyo on Wednesday morning, and agreed to strengthen cooperation in trade and investment between the two countries.

"We agree that the IJEPA amendment protocol can be finalized and signed at the G20 Summit in Bali, next November," said President Jokowi when delivering a joint press statement after the meeting, according to a written statement from the Cabinet Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia received here on Wednesday.

IJEPA (the Indonesian-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement) is an economic partnership agreement between Indonesia and Japan based on the principles of the EPA (Economic Partnership Agreement).

The IJEPA was signed by the leaders of Indonesia and Japan on August 20, 2007 in Jakarta and has been effective since July 1, 2008.

IJEPA is based on three main pillars, namely liberalization, investment/trade facilitation and cooperation.

In particular, the Indonesian President asked Japan to provide supports in the form of reducing market access tariffs for several Indonesian products, including tuna, banana, pineapple and mango.

In the investment sector, President Jokowi welcomed a number of new Japanese investments in Indonesia, and appreciated the projects completed by Japan on time. The Indonesian head of state also invited other new Japanese investments in various fields.

“Several strategic projects that I conveyed to accelerate their completion include the MRT Jakarta North-South Phase II and East-West Phase I, the West Papua Industrial Estate, the expansion of the Patimban Port and the Patimban access toll road. We also discussed the commitment to cooperation for the continuation of the Masela Gas Project," the president explained.

President Jokowi likewise expressed hope that Japan's new science and technology can support several strategic projects in Indonesia, especially for downstreaming natural commodities, developing electric cars and motorcycles, as well as developing the health and food sectors.

"In particular, I invite Japan to support the acceleration of achieving Indonesia's net zero emission target through advocating for innovative technologies, such as hydrogen and ammonia technology," he stated.

In his press statement, President Jokowi also offered more intensive cooperation for sending Indonesian workers to Japan, in the hope that the Japanese government can support them in efforts to prepare their capabilities and expertise.

At the end of his remarks regarding regional and global issues, the Indonesian President expressed his appreciation for Japan's support for the Indonesian Presidency at the G20 so that Indonesia can make a significant contribution to the global economic recovery.

"For the Indo-Pacific Region, next year Indonesia will be the Chair of ASEAN and Japan will be the Chair of the G7. We will continue to coordinate in formulating the priority agenda of the chairmanship, in order to contribute more to peace and prosperity in the region and the world. Thank you Prime Minister Kishida, see you at the G20 Summit in Bali," President Jokowi said.

Meanwhile, PM Kishida in his statement said that Indonesia is a strategic partner of Japan.

Since his visit to Indonesia at the end of April, PM Kishida said he was happy to be able to meet again to exchange views with his Indonesian counterpart openly, and this was a testament to the close relationship between the two countries.

"We will make President Joko Widodo's visit today as a momentum to strengthen relations with Indonesia, considering that we will commemorate 65 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries," PM Kishida said.

Reporting by Indonesia Window