Jakarta (ANTARA) - Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Arifin Tasrif, during the commemoration of Japanese Emperor Naruhito's 63rd Birthday, here, Thursday, expressed Indonesia's keenness to expand cooperation with Japan in new areas.
"I believe that several opportunities still exist that can be seized by both countries. I expect that we can explore and intensify cooperation in new areas," he affirmed.
Japan is a country, with the third-biggest economy in the world according to the gross domestic product (GDP), and continues to play a significant role throughout 2022, he stated.
Japan is also the fourth-biggest economy based on its purchasing power parity while also playing a role in the international community as a main source of donation and capital in the world, he noted.
Japan has always been an important partner for Indonesia in various areas, both at bilateral and multilateral levels, he remarked.
Indonesia and Japan are able to explore and be involved in several areas of cooperation that benefit the two countries, he noted.
The dynamic relationship between Indonesia and Japan as well as their people also allows the two countries to realize world peace, stability, and prosperity.
Moreover, Japan is Indonesia's partner in investment and trade and became the country's fourth-biggest foreign investor in 2022, he highlighted.
The total value of bilateral trade between Indonesia and Japan in 2022 had reached US$42 billion, or 29 percent higher as compared to the value in 2021.
On account of the cooperation in several areas that has been developed, Tasrif believes that the two countries can still forge cooperation in new fields.
He deemed that 2023 is an important year for the two countries as, beyond marking the 65th anniversary of bilateral relations between Indonesia and Japan, it also marks 50 years of partnership between the ASEAN and Japan.
Moreover, 2023 is also the year when Indonesia became the ASEAN chair while Japan is leading the G7 Summit.
"This is a historical momentum for the two countries," he remarked.
Thus, this year offers the right momentum for Indonesia and Japan to strengthen partnership and intensify cooperation in various fields, he said.
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