German FM to visit RI in bid to boost maritime partnership

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | October 30 2014 | 7:07 PM

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier will visit Indonesia on Nov.2-3 to give an impetus to stronger maritime defense cooperation between Germany, the third-largest arms exporter globally, and Indonesia, whom President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has envisioned to become the world’s maritime axis .

German Ambassador to Indonesia Georg Witschel said that during the visit, Minister Steinmeier would hold bilateral talks with his newly appointed Indonesian counterpart, Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi, whom Jokowi has assigned to materialize his maritime vision.

“Germany has a lot [of things] to offer. Our shipyards, supply industries, ocean carriers and logistics companies are strong players and are ready to get more actively involved in Indonesia,” Witschel said on Thursday.

The ambassador further explained that Steinmeier would be accompanied by not only officials from his ministry but also academicians and a delegation of 15 high-ranking business players.

The delegation will comprise representatives of leading German companies, including steel producer and automotive industry firm ThyssenKrupp AG, shipyard company Meyer Werft GmbH, Hamburg Port, engineering firm Ferrostaal AG and European aerospace giant Airbus.

“During his visit, Steinmeier will meet with businesspeople and Indonesian civil society. He will also meet with President Jokowi,” said Witschel.

He further that said Steinmeier was also scheduled to visit Sunda Kelapa Port in North Jakarta because the historical port was where Jokowi and his vice president, Jusuf Kalla, delivered their first victory speech on July 22. On a phinisi boat -- a traditional boat widely known as a trademark of the Bugis-Makassar community – the new leaders highlighted their vision for Indonesia as a global maritime axis.

“By visiting Sunda Kelapa Port, he wants to see for himself what the maritime situation and archipelagic nature of Indonesia is like. He will also visit Tanjung Priok Port [in North Jakarta],” said Witschel.

He said the maritime agenda and investment in port infrastructure would offer opportunities for increased economic relations in the 62-year-old diplomatic tie between Indonesia and Germany.

The value of Germany and Indonesia bilateral trade reached US$7.3 billion in 2013, up from $7.2 billion in 2012 and $6.6 billion in 2011, according to the Trade Ministry.

Germany is one of Indonesia’s top-10 trading partners with trade value of $4 billion from January to July this year.