Indonesian President Joko Widodo has affirmed that Indonesia is keen to encourage all ASEAN countries to unite in terms of production power so that the Southeast Asian region can become the world's growth centre.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo delivering a statement to journalists in Jakarta on May 4, 2023. (Photo: ANTARA)
Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesian President Joko Widodo has affirmed thatIndonesia is keen to encourage all ASEAN countries to unite in terms ofproduction power so that the Southeast Asian region can become the world'sgrowth centre.
This determination aligns with one of Indonesia's ASEAN chairmanship pillars,that of epicentrum of growth.
He said many of the world's productsoriginate from ASEAN countries. This is the very power that Indonesia strives to unitein order to promote the bloc as a centre of production, in accordance with the region’s potential.
He emphasised that ASEAN, with a total population of around 650 million, indeed has enormouspotential, complemented by the fact that its economic growth has constantlyremained above the global average.
The presidet furthersaid he believes that ASEAN countries can be a production epicentrum of highlycompetitive products, such as televisions, batteries, and electric vehicles while expressing his hope to see ASEANto be an economic growth center, an epicentrum of growth.
Earlier, in January, Foreign MinisterRetno Marsudi said that with the content "Focus of growth" in thetheme of the ASEAN Chairmanship year 2023, Indonesia is determined to turnSoutheast Asia into a centre of global economic growth and will promote severalareas of cooperation, including food security, energy security, health, andfinancial stability.
Retno also said that a peaceful and stableIndo-Pacific region that respects international law♍ and prioritises inclusivecooperation is the "key" for ASEAN to become the growth centre of theregion and🌳 the world./.
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Indonesian President Joko Widodo delivering a statement to journalists in Jakarta on May 4, 2023. (Photo: ANTARA) 
