VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Jakarta, VOI News :  Australia has strong commitment to increase bilateral cooperation with Indonesia. There is an opportunity to do more, in the region’s interest, and in line with each government’s aspirations for future economic activity.

This was said by Assistant Minister for Trade and Manufacturing of Australia, Senator Tim Ayres to Media at the event of Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia in Jakarta on Friday (26/1).

“ But there are structural challenges that Australia and Indonesia face, and that the region faces, that require cooperation between us, and our business and investment communities to resolve.The environmental and economic impact of climate change on Australia and Southeast Asia creates an urgent imperative to decarbonise in the most efficient, low cost way possible. It is not just a decarbonisation challenge – it is a development challenge, shifting economies from developing low-income status to developed industrial high-income countries,” Tim Ayres pointed out.

Moreover, Senator Tim Ayres  has further explained that the challenge cannot be overcome with isolated public sector investment in regional economy by regional economy.  But Ayres has said that it requires bilateral and regional collective effort and partnership of the business and investment coming to face the challenge.

“Increasing food price volatility and a growing regional population means we need to realise gains in farm productivity through greater research and development in agricultural production, sustainability and food processing.All the region's nations have a role to play, supporting each other's development, resilience and sovereignty,” Tim Ayres conveyed.

He also stated that Australia and Indonesia must lead by  strengthening  bilateral relationship and by working together in the region. He said the  Southeast Asia Economic Strategy of Australia lays out a practical pathway to unlock two-way trade and investment opportunities until  2040 which is based on  existing trade agreements in the region, particularly the Indonesia–Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA ). // VOI RRI / Australian Embassy in Jakarta //