Indonesia Roundup: Bilateral ties, electricity export, U.S. partnership
Indonesia-UAE bilateral relations
Indonesian President Joko Widodo will visit the UAE to discuss strategic ties, including the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. The agreement aims to increase trade and investment between the two countries. The National reports that they will also work together on environmental projects, including a new mangrove research centre. The UAE and Indonesia have a deep friendship, with both countries having their own Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
Facilitation of cross-border transactions
Indonesia and South Korea have agreed to link QR code payments, aiming to facilitate cross-border transactions and encourage digital economy and finance. The collaboration will support the interconnection and interoperability of QR code-based payments, in line with the G20 Roadmap for Enhancing Cross-border Payments. According to The Star, this partnership is expected to improve efficiency, transparency, and quickness in cross-border payment systems between the two countries.
Electricity exportation
Indonesia has started exporting electricity to Papua New Guinea, with the electricity network running from Jayapura in Indonesia to Wutung in Papua New Guinea. Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced this development and emphasised Indonesia's commitment to supporting development in Papua New Guinea. The leaders also discussed a memorandum of understanding covering various fields and expressed optimism about future collaborations, Social news reports.
U.S.-Indonesia ties
The U.S. has approached Indonesia about joining a multinational partnership to boost the Southeast Asian nation's environmental standards as the two countries discuss a critical minerals deal, a senior U.S. official said on Monday, July 15, 2024. The U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose Fernandez spoke to the Indonesian government about the Mineral Security Partnership, a collaboration of 14 countries and the European Union, during his visit to Jakarta this week, Tempo.co reports.
Ministerial work
Indonesia's Minister of Transportation, Budi Karya Sumadi, became the first Cabinet member to start working in the new capital, Nusantara, despite its lack of basic amenities. The capital shift has faced delays and challenges, with President Joko Widodo delaying his move and expressing uncertainty about the official inauguration. The Minister worked in Nusantara for three days before returning to Jakarta, Channel News Asia reports.
