According to the President, Indonesia, which is the largest economy in Southeast Asia and a member of the G-20 club, could become an important economic partner of Lithuania. This state visit presents an opportunity to promote bilateral cooperation and to open up fast the growing Indonesian market for Lithuanian businesses and people.
President Dalia Grybauskaitė and the President of Indonesia discussed cooperation in the energy sector. Lithuania is an innovative producer of solar batteries and biofuel technologies. The Lithuanian based Biomass Exchange BALTPOOL is unique in the world. Energy-related technologies are in high demand in Indonesia where some 50 million residents have no access to electricity network. Lithuania will also share its experience on LNG terminals as Indonesia is the 4th largest exporter of liquefied natural gas in the world.
During the visit, the Energy Ministers of Lithuania and Indonesia signed a cooperation agreement in the area of renewable energy, while Jakarta hosted the first bilateral Lithuanian and Indonesian energy forum to promote bilateral business contacts.
It was agreed to simplify certification procedures for the Lithuanian exporters of milk, meat and other food products. This presents Lithuanian producers with new opportunities to establish themselves in the 250 million strong Indonesian market. Lithuania also supports the Free Trade Agreement between the EU and Indonesia that will promote bilateral trade.
Each day almost half a million of Jakarta’s residents use a public transport app TRAFI, developed by a Lithuanian start-up. Dalia Grybauskaitė and the President of Indonesia discussed ways to further enhance cooperation in transport and communication sectors. Lithuanian enterprises can contribute to the rapidly developing Indonesian air and seaport infrastructure. The Port of Klaipėda could become a partner for Indonesia’s exports to Europe. A letter of intent on future cooperation between the Lithuanian and Indonesian Ministries of Transport, signed during the visit, will open up new opportunities.
Strengthening of relations in science, promotion of innovations and advanced technologies was also a subject of discussions. Lithuanian made medicinal products and biotechnologies are exported to over 100 countries of the world. Therefore, there is a huge potential for cooperation in the area of pharmaceutical industry, which has a 10 percent annual growth in Indonesia. The President extended an invitation to Indonesian counterparts to attend the largest regional life science forum “Life Sciences Baltic” which is to take place in Lithuania next year.
More and more Lithuanians discover Indonesia as a tourism destination. The Presidents discussed ways to ensure better legal protection for Lithuanian tourists and more rapid assistance in case of emergency.
The leaders of the two countries also focused on cooperation between the EU and Indonesia and the possibilities for a visa-free travel regime as well as matters of international security. Indonesia is one of the countries that send the highest number of peacekeepers to UN peacekeeping missions. Lithuanian troops also participate in some missions.
Dalia Grybauskaitė made the President of Indonesia a gift of Lithuanian music albums as he is a rock music fan.
Next year, Lithuania and Indonesia will commemorate the 25th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.
