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JAKARTA: Indonesia hopes there will be a reciprocal green lane for essential travel with Singapore immediately, President Joko Widodo said on Tuesday (September 1).
Speaking to journalists from foreign media, Mr. Widodo expressed his hope that the greenway will be a boost for bilateral ties, specifically in the economic and business sectors.
“We know that Singapore is the largest investor in Indonesia,” Widodo said at the presidential palace in Bogor.
In the first quarter of 2020, Singapore was Indonesia’s top foreign investor, with a total of $ 2.7 billion in investments made, according to data from the Indonesian Investment Coordinating Board.
The president also said that the greenway can pave the way for investments coming to Indonesia. He did not elaborate on the details of the arrangement.
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Last week, it was announced that Singapore and Indonesia are ready to begin discussions on a reciprocal green lane to allow essential travel to gradually resume.
“Given the strong trade ties between Singapore and Indonesia, the two foreign ministers tasked officials with starting discussions on a ‘reciprocal green lane’ to allow essential travel to gradually resume in a way that safeguards health and safety. public safety in both countries, “Singapore’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Singapore currently has reciprocal greenway agreements with China, Malaysia and Brunei.
Indonesia has similar agreements with China, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates.
The leaders of Indonesia and Singapore are also expected to meet later this year for an annual leaders’ retreat. It is Indonesia’s turn to host this year’s meeting.
When asked what the main topic on the agenda would be, Jokowi, as the president is popularly known, said that there are two main topics that he would like to discuss during the retreat.
“Everything will revolve around economic and health problems,” he said.
READ: Excellent multi-faceted Singapore-Indonesia relations in ‘good shape’, says Prime Minister Lee
The largest economy in Southeast Asia has suffered a contraction of 5.32% in the second quarter of 2020, mainly due to the social restrictions implemented to curb the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Tuesday, Widodo said it is targeting better economic growth in the third quarter. He added that he expects to see positive growth in the last quarter of the year.
He also expressed optimism that with more investment in the near future and the development of a possible COVID-19 vaccine, the Indonesian economy would see positive growth next year.
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