Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo met with five members of the US Congress from the Democratic Party at the Presidential Palace, on Wednesday (12/4). The US Congress members conveyed the commitment about the importance of strategic partnership with Indonesia.
During the meeting, Jokowi was accompanied by Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya, and US Ambassador to Indonesia Sung Y. Kim.
Meanwhile, the US Congress was represented by Senator Jeff Merkley, Senator Chris Van Hollen, Representative Lloyd Doggett, Representative Pramila Jaypal, Representative Ilhan Omar, and Mission Director of USAID Jeffrey Cohen.
A number of issues were conveyed to the members of the Congress, including the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), a US program that exempts import duty tariffs.
GSP has been given unilaterally by the US Government to developing countries since 1974. Indonesia first received GSP facilities in 1980. In 2020, the US Government through the US Trade Representative (USTR) issued a decision to extend the GSP to Indonesia. This was announced a day after President Jokowi’s meeting with US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, on Thursday, October 28, 2020.
Apart from the GSP issue, Jokowi echoed Indonesia’s commitment to the issue of climate change, which aligns with the interest of the US Congress delegation.
To members of the US Congress, the President presented data showing Indonesia’s achievements on the issue of climate change. Forest fires, for example, are claimed to have declined by more than 80 percent.
Jokowi also spoke about the importance of market access in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF). As the issue of market access has not been included in IPEF, Jokowi stressed that it is vital in the cooperation with developing countries like Indonesia.
“The president also conveyed Indonesia’s desire to be part of the global supply chain and US supply chain,”Retno added.
Lastly, Jokowi confirmed Indonesia’s readiness for cooperation in energy transition such as through the Just Energy Transfer Partnership (JETP) agreed upon at the G20 Bali. Through this mechanism, US$20 billion has been made available to help Indonesia in switching to renewable energy.
Seeking potential IKN partnership
After the meeting with President Jokowi, the Deputy Head of the Nusantara Capital Authority Dhony Rahajoe, confirmed that five members of the US Congress would visit Indonesia’s future capital, Nusantara, on Thursday (13/4).
“Yes, on Thursday, [we] will visit BOS [Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation] and Point Zero [Of IKN Nusantara],” Dhony stated, on Wednesday (13/4).
He noted that the visit of the US Congress members is aimed at seeking potential cooperation projects.
“[We will discuss] regarding the environment. They [the US Congress members] also want to directly see which aspects that can be collaborated with [Indonesia],” Dhony added.
On the same occasion, National Development Planning Minister Suharso Monoarfa reported to the president that the IKN construction is currently 26 percent complete.
During the meeting, Suharso also drew attention to the progress achieved in the establishment of clean water facilities, as well as housing for civil servants, military, and police personnel.
