Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi and his Japanese counterpart Hayashi Yoshimasa discussed strengthening cooperation and investment between the two countries within the framework of the 8th Indonesia-Japan Ministerial Level Strategic Dialogue on March 6 in Tokyo.
Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi (right) and his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi shake hands ahead of their talks in Tokyo on March 6, 2023. (Photo: Kyodo)
Jakarta (VNA) - Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi and his Japanese counterpart Hayashi Yoshimasa discussed strengthening cooperation and investment between the two countri﷽es within the framework of the 8th Indonesia-Japan Ministerial Level Strategic Dialogue on March 6 in Tokyo.
Japan is currently Indonesia's third largest trading partner, with an annual bilateral turnover of more than 42 billion USD before the pandemic. However, this figure is still too low compared with the total trade between Indonesia and other East Asian countries, Retno said.
She suggested𝔍 the two sides quickly finalise the protocol amending the Indonesia-Japan Economic Partnership Agreemen♋t (IJEPA) to tackle trade barriers and expand access to superior products of the two countries.
According to Retno, it is necessary for Japan to be more flexible, especially in removing tariffs on canned tuna from Indonesia, while relaxing special regulations for coffee and sorbitol as well as expanding import of tropical fruits from the Southeast Asian country. Regarding investment, Retno and her Japanese counterpart discussed a number of potential partnerships including the construction of its future capital (IKN) Nusantara. A project on building an automobile terminal with a capacity of 600,000 units per year by 2024 and a container terminal with a handling capacity of 525,000 TEU per year by 2023 at Patimban port in West Java Province was also mulled over at the event. The two sides discussed the results of the meeting between the two transport ministers last week, including collaboration in the development of subway projects, namely the East-West Jakarta corridor project./.
Indonesia is aiming to manufacture 1.6 million cars this year, higher than the 1.5 million units recorded in 2022, according to the country's Ministry of Industry.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
The new halal cooperation arrangement will streamline halal certification and product assurance processes, making it easier for New Zealand exporters to access the Indonesian market.
Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi (right) and his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi shake hands ahead of their talks in Tokyo on March 6, 2023. (Photo: Kyodo) 
