VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo praised the cooperation regarding the implementation of cross-border digital payments in five ASEAN countries, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines.

The signing of the memorandum of understanding proves that the five countries are capable of being one step ahead compared to other countries.

"I support that the regional payment connectivity initiative continues to be expanded to the global level. As a concrete form of implementation of the roadmap for enhancing cross-border payments (roadmap for cross-border payments) of the G20 countries," said President Joko Widodo while giving virtual remarks at the signing of the memorandum of understanding. (Memorandum of Understanding/MoU) Advancing Regional Digital Payment Connectivity, which was held in Bali, Monday (14/11/2022).

The President said digital payments across ASEAN countries are a tangible manifestation of digital transformation commitments, one of the G20 countries' agreement points, which is the key to sustainable economic recovery.

The main thing is that the economic recovery makes the strong in an inclusive and collaborative way.

"Because the ease of access to payments will have a major impact on the economy, especially the tourism, trade and MSME sectors, so that it will accelerate the acceleration of a stronger and more inclusive economic recovery," said President Jokowi.

After the President gave his remarks, the five ASEAN countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Advancing Regional Digital Payment Connectivity.

The signing of the MoU was carried out by the Governor of the Central Bank of Indonesia Perry Warjiyo, Governor of the Central Bank of Malaysia Nor Shamsiah, Governor of the Central Bank of Singapore Ravi Menon, Governor of the Central Bank of Thailand, and Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of the Philippines.

Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo in his opening remarks said that the signing of the MoU on cross-border payment system connectivity between the five ASEAN countries was a dream come true.

This signing is a legacy that will be passed on to the next generation and rewrite history.

"Today, we are witnesses because this is not only the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding, but also rewriting history. History is about digital. This is a dream that the central bank has wanted to realize for a long time," he said.

Perry revealed that there are three advantages to be achieved with this cross-border digital payment connectivity.

First, there is a commitment to help materialism and regional payment connectivity, moving from biliteral to mutual vibe cooperation.

"Standard QR, fast payment, and local currency will soon be connected to each other. Wherever we go to ASEAN countries, we can use QR. We can use the Indonesian Standard QR which is now in force in Thailand and will soon be running in Malaysia. and Singapore, and the Philippines. It would be a very quick and easy payment," he said.

Second, the MoU that was signed embodies the wishes of all the people of Southeast Asian countries, which number up to 500 million people. Most of that number are women and young people.

"We make a legacy through being utilized to help women and young people. We create connections not only about money, but for a better life," said Perry.

Third, continued Perry, the agreement reached by the five ASEAN countries is an initial step to enter the larger digital world, namely from Asia to the global.

"We also talk about central bank management. This will be the newest central bank going forward, namely the digital currency central bank," said Perry.

Meanwhile, Revi Menon and Nur Shamsiah praised Perry Warjiyo's leadership in realizing this cross-border digital payment connectivity.

Moreover, this was initiated two years ago and has only just been realized to coincide with Indonesia as the G20 Presidency.

Likewise, several industry players who were present at the signing of the MoU were proud and grateful for giving them good wishes. Cross-border payments, according to them, make transactions easier and faster. (VOI)

President Joko Widodo encouraged that the negotiations on cooperation between Indonesia and the European Union through the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) could make significant progress. Apurva Kempinski Bali.

"The 12th negotiation is scheduled for the end of 2022. I hope the negotiations will progress, including on the issue of government procurement, SMEs and export taxes," he said.

As the Chair of ASEAN in 2023, President Joko Widodo also wants the cooperation between ASEAN and the European Union to increase. According to the President, one of the focuses of Indonesia's chairmanship is to fill in concrete cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

Meanwhile, regarding the G20, President Joko Widodo also asked the European Commission and the G7 to provide support and flexibility so that the G20 Summit could produce a declaration.

"I want the concrete results of the G20 that the world has been waiting for can still be produced. Once again, Your Majesty's support will be greatly appreciated," said the President.

The President of the European Commission appreciated Indonesia's leadership in the G20 which continues to seek to formulate a common solution to the global crisis. Indonesia is seen as a trusted partner on various strategic issues including renewable energy and food security.

Also present to accompany President Joko Widodo at the meeting were Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan, and Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif. (VOI)

President Joko Widodo held a meeting with United States President Joe Biden at The Apurva Kempinski Bali, Monday (14/11).

During the meeting, President Jokowi expressed his gratitude for President Biden's presence at the G20 Summit in Indonesia.

"President Biden, welcome to Bali. I appreciate the presence of President Biden at the G20 Summit," said the Head of State.

President Joko Widodo expressed his hope that this G20 Summit could result in concrete cooperation. "I hope that this G20 Summit will be able to produce concrete cooperation that can help the world in global economic recovery," said the President.

Indonesia hopes that all G20 countries can provide flexibility so that concrete commitments from the summit results can be achieved.

During the meeting, President Joko Widodo also conveyed another issue, namely the importance of cooperation in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF). Indonesia is committed to providing full support and participation to IPEF.

“For Indonesia, concrete cooperation has always been a reference. I will assign the Coordinating Minister for the Economy of Indonesia to continue to follow up on this IPEF collaboration," said the President.

Meanwhile, regarding the Indo-Pacific, the President underlined the importance of security issues to be discussed. However, according to him, Indo-Pacific economic cooperation is no less important and needs to be strengthened.

"The partnership between Indonesia, ASEAN and the United States to build prosperity in the Indo-Pacific needs to be strengthened," he said.

The President added, as Chair of ASEAN, next year Indonesia will hold the Indo-Pacific Infrastructure Forum which is one of the implementations of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo Pacific (AOIP) concept.

"I really hope that the US can participate in the forum as a form of US support for the AOIP," explained the President.

During the meeting, President Joko Widodo was accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Minister of SOEs Erick Thohir, and Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif. (VOI)

President Joko Widodo held a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister (PM) Fumio Kishida at The Apurva Kempinski Bali, Monday (14/11).

“The world's hopes are very high for the G20 as a catalyst for global recovery. The success of the G20 is the collective responsibility of all G20 countries," said the President.

Regarding economic cooperation with Japan, President Joko Widodo is pushing for the completion of the IJEPA (Indonesia-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement).

"The performance of our economic cooperation is quite good. I am sure this performance will be better if we can finish the IJEPA soon,” he said.

Another thing that President Joko.Widodo discussed was infrastructure development. He appreciated the signing of the memorandum of understanding for the continuation of the MRT phase 1 today and the cooperation for the MRT phase 3 study at the end of last October.

"I hope for Your Majesty's support so that the MRT project can be completed on time," said the President.

Cooperation in the region was also discussed at the bilateral meeting. President Joko Widodo said that Indonesia's chairmanship of ASEAN coincided with the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan. The President underlined the importance of continuing to maintain stability and peace in the region and building a green industry in the region.

"I encourage the concrete implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) synergy with the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). Next year, Indonesia will also encourage the engagement of Pacific countries with ASEAN. Indonesia also wants to invite Japan to strengthen cooperation with countries in the Pacific," said the President.

At the Indonesia-Japan meeting, President Joko Widodo was accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif, and Director General of Asia Pacific and Africa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Abdul Kadir Jailani. (VOI)