Biden Invites Jokowi to Meet in November
US President Joe Biden is set to meet Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Washington, DC, in November, the White House announced on Sept 9.
The two leaders engaged on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi, held on Sept 9-10, during which President Biden invited President Widodo to a bilateral meeting at the White House, along with congratulating him on the exceptional ASEAN 2023 chairmanship. Biden has also said he is looking forward to President Widodo’s attendance at the upcoming APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, which will be held in San Francisco on Nov 12-18.
Related Links:
- https://www.thejakartapost.com/world/2023/09/10/biden-to-meet-with-jokowi-in-washington-in-november.html
- https://kumparan.com/kumparannews/joe-biden-nantikan-kedatangan-jokowi-ke-gedung-putih-pada-november-2023-21A093tpk5K/2
- https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/09/09/readout-of-president-bidens-engagement-with-president-joko-widodo-of-indonesia/
Jokowi Highlights Climate Crisis Mitigation at G20
During the G20 Summit in New Delhi, on Sept 9, President Joko Widodo called for financial and technology support from developed countries to assist developing countries in mitigating climate crisis impacts. The call was made following disagreements and objections among the world’s major economies on the reduction of fossil fuel use.
President Widodo also recalled promises by developed countries’ to provide $100 billion in annual climate financing and loss and damage funding for vulnerable countries, which was agreed during the 2022 United Nations Climate Conference (COP27).
G20 leaders also have failed in ensuring commitments to phase out fossil fuels. Prior to the Summit, during the ministerial meetings on the environment and energy last July, most countries also did not agree to achieve the target of zero-emissions by 2050, considering their different national circumstances.
Related links:
- https://www.thejakartapost.com/world/2023/09/10/jokowi-reiterates-developing-nations-call-for-help-on-climate-at-g20.html
- https://climatechangenews.com/2023/09/09/g20-leaders-strike-renewables-deal-stall-on-fossil-fuels/
Jokowi Urges Global De-Escalation
President Joko Widodo urged world leaders to reduce tensions at the 43rd ASEAN Summit, on Sep 7 in Jakarta, stating their responsibility not to create new conflicts and focus on strengthening cooperation and multilateralism instead. Representatives of many non-ASEAN member states were present during the Summit, including the US and China.
The US reiterated its enduring commitment to Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific region, US Vice President Kamala Harris said. She added that Washington remains opposed to any unilateral changes to the status quo of the South China Sea and East China Sea, during a sideline meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
Meanwhile, China warned countries against starting a new Cold War and urged ASEAN member states not to take sides and turn Southeast Asia into a new conflict zone. Chinese Premier Li Qiang said states should resolve differences and disputes with proper conduct.
Related Links:
- https://www.reuters.com/world/world-leaders-talk-trade-security-asean-led-summit-2023-09-07/
- https://en.antaranews.com/news/293202/asean-centrality-and-us-china-stance
Indonesia, Singapore Agree Low-carbon Electricity Deal
Indonesia and Singapore signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to support cross-border trade of low-carbon electricity, on Sept 8. The MoU was signed by Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif and Singapore's Minister for Trade and Industry Tan See Leng, and acts as a follow-up to the ASEAN energy ministers meeting in August.
A total of 2 gigawatts (GW) of electricity is expected to be exported from Indonesia to Singapore under the agreement, possibly transmitted via sea. This will cover half of Singapore’s 2035 4 GW low-carbon electricity import target.
Other aspects of the MoU include the sharing of information on policy and frameworks to enable commercial cross-border power, the development of cross-border electricity trading schemes and other unspecified collaborations. Three Indonesian companies have delivered proposals to become suppliers: the Pacific Medco Solar Energy consortium, Adaro Green and TBS Energi Utama.
Related links:
- https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20230908193010-4-470883/ri-bakal-ekspor-listrik-ke-singapura-lewat-laut
- https://industri.kontan.co.id/news/indonesia-akan-ekspor-listrik-ke-singapura-sejumlah-pelaku-usaha-mulai-ambil-posisi
- https://dinsights.katadata.co.id/read/2023/09/11/a-closer-look-to-ri-singapore-2gw-electricity-export-deal
Services Meeting Discusses Economic Outlook Approaching 2024 Elections
AmCham Indonesia’s Services Committee held its 4th meeting of 2023 at the American Club on Aug 30, discussing multiple industry updates and topics such as the golden visa, the political outlook approaching the 2024 elections, the benefits-in-kind tax, and many more.
Opened by committee chair Peter Meyer, participants gave industry updates from the insurance, banking, real estate, tax, hospitality, education, and information technology sectors. Peter also took the usual business outlook survey, with the majority voting for neutral, 18 percent optimistic, and only 14 percent pessimistic.
The committee discussed future presidential and vice presidential candidates, and what could possibly impact their businesses. The benefits-in-kind tax was briefly discussed, as companies raised their concerns on the regulation. Companies were cautiously optimistic with the introduction of the golden visa.
As one of AmCham’s long-standing committees, Services brings together a range of industries from insurance and finance to moving companies and travel, security, real estate, hospitality, health care and consultants for open and informal discussions on market conditions. Join us! It is a great networking platform.
For more information on future meetings or the committee in general: https://www.amcham.or.id/en/pages/committee/services
Invitation to Sewindu PSN from Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs
In commemoration of the 8th Anniversary of National Strategic Projects (PSN), the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, as the Head of the Accelerating Infrastructure Provision Committee (KPPIP) cordially invites you to be part of the Sewindu PSN event on Sept 13, which will be opened by President Joko Widodo, and will be followed by the KPPIP-KADIN Business Forum: Infrastructure Investment and Financing Opportunities in Indonesia.
Event details:
- Date : Wednesday, September 13, 2023
- Venue : The Kasablanka Mall, Kota Kasablanka 3rd Floor, South Jakarta
- Time : 09:00 (GMT 7) onwards
Further information about the projects ready to be offered in the business forum can be found in the file attachment or https://linktr.ee/BusinessForumSewinduPSN.
| CLICK HERE FOR THE INVITATION |
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO THE EVENT
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AmCham Update is AmCham's regular newsletter on developments related to the pandemic crisis and other issues in Indonesia. It is edited by AmCham Managing Director A Lin Neumann and written by the AmCham Staff. Paul L Goddard.
