Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita is currently on a visit to Shenzhen, China, from July 3 to 6, 2023, to participate in the China-ASEAN Forum on Emerging Industries and enhance collaboration between ASEAN and China in the industrial sector.
The visit also marks the commemoration of 30 years of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, as stated by the minister on Monday.
During the forum, Minister Kartasasmita will emphasize Indonesia’s role as the ASEAN chairman for this year.
Under its chairmanship, ASEAN has launched strategic programs focusing on recovery and rebuilding, optimizing the potential of the digital economy, and ensuring economic sustainability for the welfare of future generations.
“We hope that the forum will generate significant outcomes in terms of innovation and collaboration between ASEAN and China,” expressed Minister Kartasasmita.
As part of the China-ASEAN Forum on Emerging Industries, ministers from ASEAN countries will visit the factories of automotive companies BYD and Huawei Bantian Base.
The minister highlighted that Indonesia is open to collaborating with various countries to establish itself as a major player in the electric vehicle ecosystem.
“This aligns with our vision of achieving a greener and more sustainable ASEAN through active private sector involvement and coordinated regional cooperation,” he explained.
Additionally, Minister Kartasasmita is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with the Chinese Minister of Industry and Information Technology, Jin Zhuanglong, to discuss opportunities for enhancing Indonesia-China cooperation in the industrial sector.
China remains Indonesia’s top export destination and the primary source of non-oil and gas imports. It was also the second-largest source of foreign investment in 2022.
China’s investments in Indonesia in 2022 were primarily focused on industries such as base metals, metal goods, non-machinery and equipment, food and beverage (F&B), chemical and pharmaceuticals, textiles, and wood.
“In the meeting with the Chinese Minister of Industry and Information Technology, we will explore possibilities for cooperation in electric vehicle development, renewable energy for green industries, industrial zones, as well as the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area agreement,” informed Minister Kartasasmita.
