Singapore FM: Indonesia a Powerhouse in Energy

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan assesses that Indonesia is a powerhouse in energy and has significant potential to develop a green economy.

“Indonesia has enormous potential in the energy sector, such as solar energy, geothermal, and hydropower,” said Balakrishnan in a joint press statement with Indonesia and Singapore in Jakarta on Tuesday.

According to him, what Indonesia needs to focus on in developing its energy potential is how to attract investments and realise cooperative projects that can advance the green economy.

He believes that Indonesia’s energy potential and economic growth can synergise with Singapore’s role as a regional hub for technology and infrastructure financing.

The Singaporean Foreign Minister also conveyed that both countries have bilateral projects such as the Nongsa Digital Park in Batam and the Kendal Industrial Park in Central Java, which continue to develop and show good prospects for growth in the digital and green economy sectors.

He added that his side is seeking opportunities for Singapore and Indonesia to work more closely with Malaysia, such as updating the Singapore-Johor-Riau railway line, or SIJORI, assessing that the partnership could bring extraordinary benefits to all three countries.

“And in the region, we also hope to see more investments in transport connectivity, digital projects, and realising the ASEAN Power Grid,” he stated.

The Singaporean Foreign Minister also conveyed that at last year’s Singapore-Indonesia leaders’ meeting, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong witnessed an important ceremony for cross-border electricity trade projects and sustainable industrial development.

He hopes to see further concrete progress to advance those projects.