Energy and digital will unlock bilateral potential

In Indonesia, stable economic growth continues, reaching an estimated 5 per cent in 2023. Foreign direct investment (FDI) recorded an annual increase, from $32 billion in 2021 and $33.4 billion in 2022 to $37 billion in 2023. Despite the decline of global trade, Indonesia was able to maintain a trade surplus for four years in a row, reaching $36.9 billion in 2023.

Denny Abdi, ambassador of Indonesia to Vietnam

Vietnam also continued the trend of remarkable economic growth, with a 5.05 per cent growth in 2023. The confidence of the international community in Vietnam remains strong due to its political stability and excellent business environment - as shown by FDI. By the end of 2023, total disbursement of FDI reached $23.28 billion.

Following 2022 trends, total bilateral trade continued to exceed the $10 billion target, reaching $13.8 billion in 2023. Also last year, the first direct flight between our capital cities since the pandemic was also launched, strengthening connectivity between our two countries.

In addition, in terms of Indonesia-Vietnam relations, 2023 marked an important milestone as we celebrated 10 years of our strategic partnership.

Given these achievements, the outlook in 2024 for bilateral relations between the two countries is promising. Especially when both countries welcomed 2024 with a state visit by President Joko Widodo at the invitation of State President of Vietnam Vo Van Thuong.

In his meetings with President Thuong, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, President Widodo discussed the elevation of Indonesia-Vietnam’s strategic partnership to a higher level, setting a new target of reaching over $15 billion in 2028, and the vision to become high-income economies by 2045 while also reaching net-zero emission targets.

President Widodo’s state visit also produced agreements between the two governments, as well as between businesses. The two sides finalised an MoU on fisheries and another on ICT. A number of deals between businesses were also agreed in the areas of technology, renewable energy, and high-tech industries.

President Widodo also co-chaired a high-level business dialogue with PM Chinh and selected CEOs from Indonesia and Vietnam to discuss cooperation in developing a knowledge-based economy, and to showcase investment commitments, prospects, and challenges between the two countries. This is in line with our priorities for Indonesia-Vietnam cooperation: agriculture, fisheries, high-tech industries, renewable energy, and the digital economy.

The two nations are urged to focus on high-value products and facilities

In the coming years, cooperation in these areas will be increasingly vital in our bid to strengthen bilateral trade and investment. As developing economies, Indonesia and Vietnam are in a very similar situation, experiencing rapid socioeconomic growth driven by youth, and a vast potential of human and natural resources.

To ensure these advantages translate into tangible benefits, it is fundamental to collaborate in developing and connecting our resources. This means promoting investment in education, research and innovation to capitalise our human resources, as well as promoting investment in developing regional supply chains.

To achieve this, Indonesia and Vietnam need to transform their economic cooperation, shifting from the conventional trade partnerships into collaborations focused on production of high-added value products. For instance, Indonesia and Vietnam have put much attention into the development of electric vehicles (EVs). Naturally, as developing and neighbouring countries, this can resort into a competition. This competition should instead be converted into a collaboration.

Vietnam, through VinFast, has established itself as a global electric vehicle manufacturer. Indonesia, on the other side of the table, has all the ingredients needed to become a global battery manufacturer. Through cooperation, Indonesia and Vietnam can work together to develop a regional supply chain for EVs, multiplying the output produced in comparison to when we compete. This strategy can be replicated in other priority sectors.

Yet, it has to be underlined that economic development must not grow at the expense of sustainability. Indonesia and Vietnam have set their net-zero emission goals according to the Paris Agreement. Our reliance on energy based on fossil fuels can be a bottleneck to our development if not addressed effectively.

The two countries are also partners of the Just Energy Transition Partnership, and the ability to mobilise these resources efficiently will be key to unlock further investments in renewable energy. Environmental, social, and governance considerations have also become a deciding factor for investors to fund projects.

All in all, in 2024, I believe the challenges we have faced may continue to be among us. Hence, our endeavours in energy transition, digital transformation, and industry down-streaming will be key in unlocking our potential. Both Indonesia and Vietnam have the resources and commitments to level up, what is left is making full use of these assets.

Much may need to be done, but seeing the foundations of our relations and the commitments shared between us, I strongly believe 2024 will be a positive year for Indonesia and Vietnam.

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