RI-Czech Ready for Bilateral Cooperation in Defense Industry Sector
By : Ridwan And Aldi Firhand. A | Tuesday, May 01 2018 - 21:26 IWST
Minister of Industry Airlangga Hartarto exchanged souvenirs with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Martin Tlapa.
INDUSTRY.co.id - The Czech Republic, the Government of Indonesia and the Czech Government are ready to engage in bilateral cooperation for strengthening in the defense industry.
This is surfaced from the meeting between Minister of Industry RI Airlangga Hartarto with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Martin Tlapa, Monday (30/4/2018) local time.
"The development in the defense industry could spur other related sectors such as component industry, steel industry from upstream to downstream including stainless steel which will be absorbed in the production process," Airlangga said in its statement received in Jakarta on Tuesday (1/5/2018).
At the meeting, the Minister of Industry was accompanied by the Director General for International Industrial Access and Development (KPAII) I Gusti Putu Suryawirawan and Special Staff of the Minister of Industry, Benny Sutrisno.
According to Airlangga, the two countries have great potential to forge closer ties, especially in the industrial sector. For defense industry especially in the field of main weapon system equipment (alutsista), RI has good market prospect and competitiveness. For example, PT Pindad (Persero) who has been qualified in designing and making combat vehicles, weapons, and ammunition.
"Strengthening the competitiveness of national defense armaments is accelerated through research, development and engineering activities undertaken by the cooperation between the Ministry of Industry and the Indonesian National Army," he explained.
Minister of Industry conveyed that the Czech Republic considers RI to be an important partner because of its strategic location with large population, so it plays an important role in maintaining stability and security in Southeast Asia especially and Asia Pacific in general.
"In addition, the Czechs see Indonesia play an active role in regional cooperation such as ASEAN, APEC and ASEM," he said.
Meanwhile, according to the view of the Republic of Indonesia, Czech also plays an important role in maintaining stability and security in the Central European region. "In addition to the defense industry, other sectors that are potential to be synergized include glass and ceramics industry, and aircraft industry," said Airlangga.
The Czech is Indonesia's fourth largest trading partner in Central and Eastern Europe after Russia, Ukraine and Poland. During 2010-2015, the total value of Czech investment in Indonesia reached USD34, 35 million.
Meanwhile, the period 2016-2017, Czech investment in the manufacturing sector reached USD499, 5 thousand for three projects that include basic metal industry, metal goods, and machinery and electronics.
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