VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Coordinating Economic Affairs Minister Airlangga Hartarto and the US Ambassador Sung Kim discussed endeavors to intensify bilateral trade during a virtual courtesy call on Thursday.

Trade between Indonesia and the US was valued at US$30 billion, lower than the US bilateral trade with other ASEAN member countries.

"We can increase the trade, two or three folds, with Indonesia's position as the largest economy in the ASEAN. There is plenty of room for boosting bilateral trade," Hartarto noted in a statement here on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Kim was optimistic that economic ties, covering trade and investment, would continue to deepen.

Some US companies are interested to invest in Indonesia, he remarked.

The ambassador also echoed the US’ concern over a spike in COVID-19 cases in Indonesia and ensured vaccine donations to help the country tackle the pandemic.

"The US government has donated four million doses of the Moderna vaccine scheduled to arrive soon, as well as technical and other medical aid, including oxygen," Kim remarked.

Minister Hartarto lauded the US support and help to handle the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia.

Hartarto noted that the government had used domestic and imported medical devices, with import duty relaxation, to treat COVID patients.

The bilateral talks also covered the prospect of cooperation in renewable energy.

Hartarto drew attention to Indonesia’s abundant renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and geothermal.

"Indonesia is open for cooperation with the US to boost the transition toward renewable energy in the country," he stated. (Antaranews)