Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (right) welcomes Indonesian President Joko Widodo as he arrives in Istana for the Singapore-Indonesia Leaders' Retreat on March 16. (Photo: straitstimes.com)Singapore (VNA) – Singaporean Prime Minister Lee HsienLoong on March 16 said that Singapore and Indonesia are ready to cooperate innew areas, as the two countries signed agreements on energy, sustainability,health, and human capital development.
Speaking at the 6th Singapore-Indonesia Leaders’ Retreat, the PM said the bilateral relations are in excellentorder and that they are ready to break new ground in fresh areas of cooperationthat are deep, multifaceted, forward-looking, and mutually beneficial and willmake a difference to future generations.
The two countries signed six agreements covering emerging areassuch as the digital economy, sustainability, and human capital development, andtraditional areas like security, health, and finance.
Among the agreements, the Singapore-Indonesia Tech-X Programmewill be implemented, allowing young technology professionals from Singapore andIndonesia to work in each other’s countries for up to a year.
“Our tech cooperation will strengthen ASEAN collaboration inthis emerging sector. This includes working towards a Digital Economy FrameworkAgreement (DEFA) under Indonesia’s ASEAN Chairmanship,” the Singaporean PMsaid.
He added that Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo and he discussedthe Nusantara project at length and his vision for a “green” and “smart”Nusantara.
“It is a major priority for the President and for Indonesia.Singapore is happy to support the President’s vision. We will contributetowards knowledge-sharing, and joint R&D activities,” he said.
He also emphasised Singapore’s full support for Indonesia’sASEAN Chairmanship and for its priorities as the ASEAN Chair.
Singapore will continue working with Indonesia and with ASEAN members on the roadmap for Timor-Leste’s ASEAN membership and do their part tohelp Timor-Leste prepare for the obligations and commitments that it will takeon when it joins ASEAN./.
