Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has proposed that Vietnam and Indonesia maintain their trade growth in a more balanced manner, working to raise bilateral trade to $15 billion by 2028, the Government News has reported.

Meeting host Indonesian President Joko Widodo on September 4 ahead of the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Prime Minister Chinh called on the governments of Vietnam and Indonesia to help businesses from both sides increase their investment in the other country, especially in the digital economy, the green economy, energy transition, and the development of an e-vehicle ecosystem.

He also called on Indonesia to ease the application of trade remedies against Vietnamese goods, thus facilitating the access of farm produce and Halal products from Vietnam; cooperate to develop new and strategic supply chains while strengthening cooperation in areas of mutual interest; and to recognize Vietnam’s efforts in monitoring the operations of its fishing vessels and minimizing illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

For his part, President Widodo said he welcomed Vietnamese businesses, including VinFast, to invest in Indonesia and promote cooperation in the development of renewal energy and an e-vehicle ecosystem. He suggested that the two countries strengthen marine cooperation and sustainable fishery cooperation and soon sign an MoU on fishery cooperation.

On the occasion, both leaders agreed to effectively optimize bilateral cooperation mechanisms and coordinate to fully implement signed agreements, including putting a signed document on maritime cooperation into effect soon, creating momentum to elevate the strategic partnership to new heights towards a comprehensive strategic partnership in the near future.

Regarding regional and international issues, Prime Minister Chinh restated that Vietnam has supported and worked closely with Indonesia to ensure the success of the 43rd ASEAN Summit and the ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2023, contributing to fostering solidarity, unity, and the centrality of ASEAN and maintaining peace, stability, cooperation, and common development in the region.

On the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) issue, the two leaders reaffirmed their support for maintaining ASEAN’s solidarity and principles on the East Sea issue, especially the early finalization of an effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) between ASEAN and China in line with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).