Indonesia, Singapore Discuss Labor Cooperation
- VIVA.co.id/Anisa Aulia
Jakarta – Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, held bilateral talks with Singapore's Minister for Trade and Industry, Gan Kim Yong.
During the meeting, they discussed Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and plans for cooperation in labor programs.
Minister Hartarto explained that the meeting addressed the outcomes of both countries' collaboration within the bilateral economic mechanism of the 6 Working Groups (WG) Indonesia-Singapore.
"The framework of the 6 WG serves as a bilateral forum to enhance economic collaboration between the two countries. One area of cooperation includes the economic zones of Batam, Bintan, Karimun, and other Special Economic Zones," Minister Hartarto stated in a statement on Thursday.
Menteri Koordinator Bidang Perekonomian, Airlangga Hartarto
- VIVA.co.id/Anisa Aulia
This cooperation also involves enhancing investment sectors, transportation, labor, agribusiness, and tourism. The two ministers also discussed preparations for the upcoming Leaders' Retreat meeting.
Furthermore, both ministers agreed for the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) related to labor issues, signed on March 16, 2023, to be implemented promptly.
"We need to push for the implementation of the agreed-upon labor cooperation programs in tech talent mobility to be realized promptly," Minister Hartarto remarked.
Currently, both countries are preparing technical arrangements for the implementation of the MoU.
In the initial implementation phase, a pilot project will be conducted with a specific number of initial applicants and involved companies.
During the meeting, Minister Gan emphasized the importance of utilizing industrial parks and Special Economic Zones.
Economic zones have proven to create a multiplier effect for various business sectors, and their growth related to the financial incentives provided by the Government in the form of tax facilities such as tax holidays and tax allowances.
During the occasion, Minister Gan invited Coordinating Minister Airlangga to attend and participate in the IPEF Clean Economy Investor Forum in Singapore in June.
The two ministers also agreed to hold the 6 WG ministerial meeting in conjunction with the Investor Forum.
Also present at the meeting were, among others, the Secretary of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Susiwijono Moegiarso, and the Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore, Suryopratomo.
Meanwhile, Minister Gan Kim Yong was accompanied by Director Southeast Asia and Oceania MTI, Jeanette Lim.
