Reporter: Would you please share how the multi-faced cooperation between Vietnam and Indonesia has been effectively implemented in 2019?
Mr. Ibnu Hadi: Vietnam is the only strategic partner for Indonesia in Southeast Asia since 2013. As we all know, Indonesia and Vietnam have signed Plan of Action on the Implementation of Strategic Partnership 2019 – 2023 as guidance in strengthening bilateral cooperation.
In 2019, Vietnam and Indonesia continue to take concrete steps to strengthen bilateral relations that have been built over the past 64 years. For the first time, in 2019 both countries held Defence Policy Dialogue in Hanoi.
In particular, 2019 was a special year for Indonesia and Vietnam as the countries celebrated the 60th anniversary of the historic visits of President Ho Chi Minh to Indonesia and President Sukarno to Vietnam.
In the economic sector, in 2019 trade cooperation continue to increase. The value of bilateral trade increased from USD8.4 billion in 2018 to approximately US $9.1 billion in 2019.
In the context of regional and multilateral cooperation, at the end of 2019, the Indonesian Foreign Minister H.E. Retno L.P. Marsudi came to Vietnam to meet with the Vietnamese Foreign Minister H.E. Pham Binh Minh. The meeting discussed various ASEAN issues leading up to the Chairmanship of Viet Nam in 2020 and also serve as a forum for consultation since the two countries will be non-permanent members of the UN Security Council in 2020.
Mr. Ibnu Hadi, Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam. (Photo: CPV)
Reporter: In 2019, the two countries have organized a number of practical activities to mark the 60th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh’s visit to Indonesia and President Sukarno’s visit to Vietnam. According to you, what motivations to promote the bilateral strategic partnership between the two countries to the new high level which have been created by the visits?
Mr. Ibnu Hadi: Indonesia and Vietnam are not only neighbor countries. The two countries are close partners and friends which have been showed by our founding fathers, President Sukarno and President Ho Chi Minh. The historical visits of President Ho Chi Minh to Indonesia and President Sukarno to Vietnam 60 years ago in 1959 have laid a strong foundation for the bilateral relations of the two countries until today. The friendship between the two founding fathers is not only a historical treasure that should be nurtured and passed on to the generation of leaders and people of the two countries. Furthermore, it is a motivation for the two countries to intensify cooperation in many sectors and levels.
Reporter: Indonesia is currently the 4th biggest trading partner of Vietnam. However, the bilateral trade and investment ties between the two countries remains modest and have yet to match their full potential. In your opinion, what special policies and actions do the two countries’ governments and business community need do to promote the trading relationship between the two countries?
Mr. Ibnu Hadi: Bilateral trade between Vietnam and Indonesia had a big potential over the past years. After many State visits by the Leaders of two countries, trade is still one of the most concerned issue to discuss between Indonesia and Vietnam in the context of its strong economic development. The total import-export turnover between Indonesia and Vietnam has continuously increased over the past three years.
Plan of Action on the Implementation of Strategic Partnership 2019 – 2023emphasized the goal of total import and export turnover between the two countries to reach $ 10 billion by the end of 2020. Currently, the main exports from Indonesia to Vietnam include: automobile and spare parts, coal, paper…. Exports from Vietnam to Indonesia are mainly items such as iron, steel, electronic components and spare parts. For the Embassy, in order to enhance bilateral trade between the two countries, in 2019, many seminars were organized to increase trade for some key commodities such as automobiles and spare parts, coal, seafood products, tourism ... and many workshops to enhance cooperation between Indonesia and Vietnam in Hanoi and some other big cities such as Da Nang, TP. Ho Chi Minh. In addition, the Embassy also help Vietnamese businesses to attend the Trade Expo Indonesia 2019 (TEI 2019) held in October 2019 in Jakarta. We always support and facilitate Vietnam and Indonesia ‘s companies to have opportunities for business cooperation.
Currently, the trade turnover of the two countries in 2018 has reached 8.45 billion USD, an increase of 30% compared to the same period in 2017; in which, Indonesian export turnover to Vietnam reached 4.9 billion USD, imported goods from Vietnam reached 3.5 billion dollars. And now in 2019, the number is USD9.1 billion.
However, in order to further strengthen trade cooperation between the two countries, I think that Vietnam and Indonesia need to synchronize import and export management policies, creating conditions for businesses of the two countries in the trading process. The reduction and simplification of customs administrative procedures will also help to save costs for businesses, thereby strengthening trade and cooperation exchanges between Indonesian businesses and Vietnamese businesses. In addition, actively seeking information and partners from businesses of the two countries will also contribute to promoting trade growth between the two countries.
Reporter: In 2020, what will you do to contribute to promoting bilateral relations between Vietnam and Indonesia during your term as the Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam which is considered as a bridge of the two countries’ friendship?
Mr. Ibnu Hadi: Promoting bilateral relations between Vietnam and Indonesia is not only my duty but also my honor. Enhancing economic diplomacy is my first priority, also Indonesia’s which was mentioned in the annual press statement of the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs on January 9th 2019.
With this mindset, I continuously strive to achieve the target of USD10 billion in bilateral trade volume. I am quite optimistic because,as I mentioned, in 2019, the total trade between the two countries has reached USD9.1 billion.
The second is tourism, potential cooperation between both countries. In 2019, Vietnam and Indonesia had more direct flights, not only between Ho Chi Minh City to Jakarta but also from Ho Chi Minh City to Bali, not only served by one airline but also by two airlines. In 2020, I will try to make more favorable conditions for the airlines to launch direct flights from Hanoi to Bali and hopefully in summer, we will have flight connecting our two capital cities. The number of tourists between the two countries now is quite modest, below 100.000 people. I will be optimistic to achieve at least 150.000 people.
Last but not least, with the support from the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture, the Indonesian language courses will be improved in quality and expanded in quantity. It will help to increase the mutual understanding between the two countries.
Reporter: On the occasion of the lunar New Year 2020, what message would you like to send to readers of the Communist Party of Vietnam Online Newspaper?
Mr. Ibnu Hadi: In the Year of the Mouse, an animal with spirit, flexibility and vitality, I wish that you have a year full of successful, positive and indefatigable energy.
Reporter: Thank you so much!