VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Japanese Embassy in Indonesia held a reception of Emperor Naruhito's birthday in Jakarta on Tuesday (18/02). In his remarks representing the Indonesian government, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto said Indonesia had a great interest in relations with Japan, which was based on the principle of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit. Airlangga said Indonesia's economic relations will remain important in the future. In the field of economic cooperation, Indonesia and Japan have many to explore. Airlangga believes that strong economic relations between Indonesia and Japan will remain important in the future.

"Bilateral trade value between Indonesia and Japan reached 31.57 billion and ranked 3 as a top export destination for Indonesia valued at 50.9 billion. In terms of investment, Japan was also the third largest investor in 2019 with a total FDI value of 4.3 billion. I believe this strong and mutual economic cooperation will remain significant in the future with the potential of further improvement both countries have succeeded in substantially concluding in general review of the IJEPA (Indonesia-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement) and asset negotiations last year. This progress on the FTA (Free Trade Agreement) negotiations shall become the momentum for Indonesia and Japan to expand our economic cooperation in the future," said Airlangga.

Meanwhile, Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Masafumi Ishii said the reception this time was special, because there were many new things to be celebrated. In addition to celebrating the Emperor's Birthday, the next thing worth celebrating, he said, was the holding of the Tokyo Olympics and the Paralympics in the next few months. (VOI / AHM / BLM EDT)