VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Long agreed to increase cooperation in a number of fields such as security, economy and education. President Joko Widodo at the Singapore Palace on Tuesday said that Indonesia welcomed the negotiating framework for the 'flight information region' (FIR or airspace control) that has been agreed by the two countries. Indonesia respects Singapore's position to oversee its airspace, so the Indonesian technical team has begun negotiations with the country. President Joko Widodo and PM Lee Hsien Loong met at the Leader's Retreat which takes place every year since 2017. In the meeting the two heads of government and a number of ministers discussed technical issues in various fields.

Indonesia and Singapore will also increase financial cooperation between the central banks of the two countries, in the management of foreign exchange liquidity (bilateral liquidity management arrangements).

President Joko Widodo also welcomed the increasing number of companies participating in the development of Kendal industrial area and Nongsa Digital Park in Batam. The two countries agreed to encourage bilateral cooperation in the fields of investment and trade. In the field of infrastructure, Indonesia offers cooperation in infrastructure funding including the Makassar-Parepare train route and Labuan Bajo airport. In the field of education, the two countries are promoting vocational education cooperation including the operation of the Kendal polytechnic and the RISING (Republic of Indonesia and Singapore) Fellowship.

Indonesia and Singapore also agreed to encourage the digital economy in the fields of financial technology, e-commerce, data services, the development of 'techno park' and 'regional innovation hub'.

Meanwhile Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Long said the Indonesia-Singapore economic ties had strengthened with Singapore becoming the largest foreign investor in Indonesia since 2014. It can be seen on Kendal industrial area has been valued at 800 million US$ with 60 companies and is estimated to create 7 million jobs. Singapore would also enhance long-term cooperation in the Batam-Bintan-Karimun area in order to support passengers from Changi Airport.

President Joko Widodo and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Long at the meeting also witnessed the signing of an electronic data exchange facilitation, trade agreement as well as a memorandum of understanding regarding archival cooperation. The archival agreement allows the two institutions to share archival knowledge about history and culture.