Vietnam, Indonesia aim to build strategic partnership

Vietnam and Indonesia have many common interests and the two nations have witnessed positive developments in their relations in terms of business, politics, agriculture and education since they established their diplomatic ties in 1955. The two nations upgraded their comprehensive partnership to a strategic partnership in June 2013 following President Truong Tan Sang visit to Indonesia. Through regular meetings between high-ranking leaders and delegations, their ties have become stronger.

Mayerfas, Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam said: The concept of Vietnam-Indonesia relations is growing together. We would like to grow together to benefit and make use of what we have. That’s why Vietnam is the only country in the region that we have strategic partnership. We expect from this development more co-operation will be established in many areas.

Following the strategic partnership, bilateral trade increased to 5.4 billion USD in 2014 from only 1.6 billion USD in 2006, achieving the turnover target one year ahead of schedule. Taking this a step further, several business forums and fair were organised earlier this month in a bid to realise the target of 10 billion USD bilateral trade turnover in 2018. Over 100 Indonesian firms came to the events hoping to set up business links with Vietnamese partners.

Pratito Soeharyo, Director of Business Empowerment Investment Co-ordinating Board Republic of Indonesia said: More than 100 businesses came to Vietnam. It means that they have realised that the AEC will start at the end of this year. And Vietnam is an emerging market in the South East Asia region. So they want to partner with Vietnamese companies.

"Vietnam and Indonesia, we are very active members in the ASEAN. And ASEAN is now moving toward the AEC by the end of this year. So I think we can take advantage of being very active members and ASEAN economic integration to leverage the co-operation between the two countries to a higher level", said Vice Executive President, Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry

As the formation of the ASEAN Community is just days away, it will be an important milestone marking ASEAN’s development, and promote the Vietnam-Indonesia strategic partnership. Enhancing relations between the two countries will contribute to improving ASEAN’s central role and help realise their economic development targets in the future.