Indonesian Vice President (VP) K.H. Ma’ruf Amin made a courtesy call to the President of Singapore, Halimah Yacob, at the Singapore Presidential Palace, Monday afternoon (16 January 2023).
“We pray that 2023 will be a better year for all of us. I also hope that this year our bilateral relations will be even stronger,” the Indonesian Vice President said.
During the meeting, which took place from 15:00 to 16:00 GMT +7, the Indonesian Vice President conveyed warm greetings from President Joko Widodo to the President of Singapore and wished him a happy new year in 2023.
Furthermore, the Indonesian Vice President said that the progress of bilateral relations in detail will be discussed by President Joko Widodo and the Prime Minister of Singapore in the near future, precisely at the annual Retreat meeting.
In the meeting with the 8th President of the Republic of Singapore since 2017, the Indonesian Vice President also conveyed several important points. First, the Indonesian Vice President expressed his appreciation for the completion of three important agreements between Indonesia and Singapore.
“I am pleased that we have been able to finalize three important agreements, namely the Flight Information Region or FIR, Defense Cooperation Agreement and Extradition Treaty,” the Indonesian Vice President said.
“The three agreements further strengthen the cooperation between the two countries,” he added.
More information about the agreements available here
Second, the Indonesian Vice President also expressed his hope that bilateral relations between the two countries can be expanded to the field of sharia economy.
“I hope that sharia economic cooperation can also be strengthened,” the Indonesian Vice President added.
The Indonesian Vice President explained that Indonesia is currently working to establish itself as the primary hub for halal producers worldwide. Several steps have been taken including by building Halal Industrial Zones in 3 strategic areas, namely Bintan, Serang, and Sidoarjo. He also invited the Singapore government to become an investment partner in the region.
“I hope Singapore can become an investment partner for the halal industry and encourage the completion of the Agreement on Halal Product Guarantee between BPJPH and the Singapore Islamic Religious Council (MUIS),” said the Indonesian Vice President.
Third, the Indonesian Vice President explained, cooperation in education and socio-culture is also a big priority for Indonesia in building superior human resources. the Indonesian Vice President also supports concrete steps taken in the implementation of this cooperation agreement.
“Encouraging the implementation of various bilateral agreements through youth internship programs and vocational education programs of both countries as well as the establishment of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms,” the Indonesian Vice President explained.
Fourth, the Indonesian Vice President explained about Indonesia’s candidacy for the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and asked for Singapore’s support in this candidacy. On the other hand, the Indonesian Vice President also conveyed the outline of Indonesia’s program in the chairmanship of ASEAN in 2023.
“Since 2018 Indonesia has been an observer at the FATF and has achieved a lot of progress regarding the Anti Money Laundering regime. I expect Singapore’s support at the FATF meeting in Paris in February 2023.”
Sourced from Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs official site
