VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Entering 25 years of cooperation between Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT), a number of important achievements achieved by the three countries. Starting from the growth of IMT-GT in 2016 which reached 4.4 percent to GDP per capita population in the IMT-GT region that recorded the value of USD14.557 in 2016 from the previous USD11.508 in 2011.

This was conveyed by President Joko Widodo while attending the 11th Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) Meeting at Banyan Room, Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore.

Even from the side of air connectivity, the number of international airports in the IMT-GT area increased by three times from 9 airports in 1995 to 28 international airports today.

Nevertheless, the President reminded that there are still many tough challenges faced in this region.

"The region and the world today are still haunted by the uncertainty resulting from competition between the big powers and the already existing trade war," said President Jokowi.

Therefore, President Jokowi invites the founding member of ASEAN to make IMT-GT cooperation as building block that gives real contribution to the strengthening of ASEAN.

Entering 25 years of cooperation between Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT), a number of important achievements achieved by the three countries. Starting from the growth of IMT-GT in 2016 which reached 4.4 percent to GDP per capita population in the IMT-GT region that recorded the value of USD14.557 in 2016 from the previous USD11.508 in 2011.

This was conveyed by President Joko Widodo while attending the 11th Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) Meeting at Banyan Room, Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore.

Even from the side of air connectivity, the number of international airports in the IMT-GT area increased by three times from 9 airports in 1995 to 28 international airports today.

Nevertheless, the President reminded that there are still many tough challenges faced in this region.

"The region and the world today are still haunted by the uncertainty resulting from competition between the big powers and the already existing trade war," said President Jokowi.

Therefore, President Jokowi invites the founding member of ASEAN to make IMT-GT cooperation as building block that gives real contribution to the strengthening of ASEAN.

"We must be equally sure that this cooperation brings concrete and inclusive benefits for our people as well for the people of ASEAN," said President Jokowi.

In order to realize this and promote inclusive growth in the IMT-GT region, President Jokowi proposed a number of steps that must be done immediately. In particular, infrastructure development especially Physical Connectivity Projects (PCP) is believed to facilitate the flow of goods, services, and passengers.

In addition, a number of cooperation in various priority areas should also be continuously improved. Starting from agro-industry, tourism, to the development of digital economy.

President Jokowi also encourages the improvement of skilled, competitive, and able to contribute positively through the Center for IMT-GT Subregional Cooperation (CIMT).

"As a joint secretariat, CIMT should contribute more to the smoothness of cooperation between countries as well as with other international organizations," said President Jokowi.

Accompanying President Jokowi in the meeting were Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita, Moeldoko Presidential Chief of Staff, and Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Singapore I Gede Ngurah Swajaya.

The development of the Indo-Pacific framework should be based on open, inclusive, transparent principles and promoting cooperation and friendship. The concept of Indo-Pacific cooperation should continue to put forward the centrality of ASEAN. This was conveyed by President Joko Widodo in his speech at the 32nd ASEAN Summit held at The Acacia Room, Shang-La Hotel, Singapore, on Saturday, April 28, 2018.

"ASEAN must continue to play its role including in developing the concept of Indo-Pacific cooperation. The ASEAN Indo-Pacific Concept is crucial for ASEAN to remain relevant, still able to play its centrality and demonstrate ASEAN's ability to manage strategic environmental change, "said the President.

The President said the magnitude of the challenge in the Indo-pacific region. If not well managed, the President said, the situation could disrupt and even undermine the achievements of ASEAN so far.

"For that aside in the Pacific Ocean, ASEAN should be able to contribute in the Indian Ocean. This contribution can only be realized if we keep firmly to the unity and centrality of ASEAN, "he continued.

 The proposed concept of Indo Pacific has been submitted by Indonesia at the meeting of the ASEAN Foreign Minister's Retreat, January 2018. Indonesia has also communicated with several dialogue partners on Indo-Pacific cooperation.

Three Indonesian Proposals

To realize the cooperation of Indo-Pacific President Jokowi proposed three efforts of ASEAN in the future. First, ASEAN should be able to become a motor for the creation of enabling environment.

"We must continue to encourage all partners to respect the international law and norms of developing habit of dialogue, putting forward peaceful dispute resolution avoiding the use of force," he said.

Secondly, ASEAN should be able to utilize various modalities to overcome security challenges, including transnational crimes. Some forms of threats that need attention include radicalism and drug trafficking, TPPO and piracy.

Thirdly, ASEAN must be pro-active in creating a new center of economic growth, particularly in the Indian Ocean. Therefore, the President continues, ASEAN should continue to maintain an open and fair economic system.

"Some areas of cooperation that can be put forward include, in the maritime field, connectivity, and achievement of SDGs. Therefore, business interactions in the Indian Ocean and Pacific region need to be improved, "said the Head of State.

Also present was accompanying President in this event Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Director General of ASEAN Cooperation Jose Antonio Morato Tavares. ( rel ) 

President Joko Widodo attended the opening ceremony of the 32nd ASEAN Summit in Island Ballroom, Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore, Saturday, April 28, 2018.

"There are several meetings, firstly the opening of the summit itself, the official opening, then ASEAN Leader's Retreat will discuss more about regional issues, international issues," Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi told journalists on Friday night, April 27, 2018 , at the Shangri-la Hotel, Singapore.

In addition, the President will also hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Nguyen Xuan Phuc. The meeting is scheduled to take place after lunch, at the 3rd Bilateral Meeting Room, Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore.

Before returning to Indonesia, the President will first attend the 11th Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) Meeting at Banyan Room, Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore.

The meeting was held in order to improve the welfare of the people of the three countries and the region. ( release )