US values Indonesia as key partner in building Indo-Pacific supply chain

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) considers cooperation with Indonesia crucial to building strong supply chains in the Indo-Pacific region.

“The DFC views Indonesia as an important partner in building more resilient, diversified and secure supply chains across the Indo-Pacific region,” a DFC official said in a written response to ANTARA received in Jakarta on Wednesday.

The agency also considers Indonesia to remain an important investment destination for both the US government and American private investors, particularly in infrastructure, energy, critical minerals, digital connectivity and regional supply chain security.

The DFC is the development finance institution of the US government and serves as a key pillar of the country’s economic diplomacy.

The agency manages and channels private financing to support US foreign policy and strategic economic development.

Following a recent expansion of its authority granted by the US Congress, the DFC increased its investment capacity from US$60 billion (Rp1.08 quadrillion, at an exchange rate of Rp18,070 per US dollar as of Wednesday morning) to US$205 billion (Rp4.52 quadrillion).

The expanded authority is expected to enable the DFC to pursue commercially viable investments while advancing US economic development and policy priorities.

Earlier, DFC Chief Policy Officer Caroline Vik visited Jakarta as part of a tour of Southeast Asia from 19 to 25 June.

During her visit, she met a number of stakeholders in Indonesia, from government officials to private sector representatives.

The meetings discussed how the DFC could support Indonesia’s energy resilience through upstream exploration as well as the development of midstream energy storage and transportation infrastructure.

The meetings also explored potential cooperation in building new ports, domestic mining and processing of critical minerals, and the development of the nuclear energy sector and financial services.