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Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean was on a working visit to Jakarta, Indonesia, from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1, according to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

During his visit, Teo, who is also the Coordinating Minister for National Security, called on Indonesian President Joko Widodo, as both leaders reaffirmed the strong and mutually beneficial relationship between Singapore and Indonesia, MFA said.

The ministry added that both leaders also discussed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation to take both countries' relations to "an even higher level".

Singapore and Indonesia reaffirmed close bilateral relations

The statement also mentioned that Teo had called on Indonesian Vice-President Ma'ruf Amin.

Both Teo and Ma'ruf reaffirmed the close and multifaceted nature of bilateral relations between Singapore and Indonesia, including economic exchanges and education cooperation, which have strengthened through the support both countries had provided each other during the Covid-19 pandemic, MFA said. 

Separately, Teo also met the Indonesian Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investments Luhut Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, and Minister of Defence Prabowo Subianto.

Teo and the Indonesian ministers spoke about the close personal friendships they had developed over the years, and took stock of bilateral cooperation across the economic, people-to-people, and defence sectors, MFA said. 

"They discussed new opportunities that both sides could work together on, including in the green economy, digital economy, and climate change," the ministry added. 

Teo and the Indonesian ministers reaffirmed the need to deepen cooperation to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic together and seize opportunities for growth in the post-pandemic economy. They also exchanged views on regional developments.

He met some members of Indonesia's House of Representatives as well, with whom he discussed ways to deepen exchanges between Singapore and Indonesia.

Singapore's investment in Indonesia increases despite the pandemic

On Dec. 1, Indonesian Vice-President Ma'ruf Amin took to Facebook to write on his exchanges with Teo.

He shared that from January to September this year, Singapore's investment in Indonesia amounted to US$7.3 billion (S$9.9 billion).

Total investment in the third quarter this year increased by 2.8 per cent, as compared to the same quarter last year.

Ma'ruf also wrote that he welcomes the working relationship between Indonesia and Singapore in developing renewable energy in most parts of the country.

"It is our task to take care of the environment for the next generation," Ma'ruf wrote.

Indonesia appreciates both countries' collaboration in many areas

In addition, Ma'ruf wrote that he appreciates several collaborative cooperation between Indonesia's Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, and its Singaporean counterpart.

Apart from that, he also appreciates the bilateral financial cooperation between Bank Indonesia and the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

"This is an excellent effort to stabilise the monetary and financial systems in both countries as they both recover from the pandemic," Ma'ruf wrote.

Moving forward, he hopes that both Indonesia and Singapore will be partners in dealing with the pandemic and overcoming other global challenges.

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Top image via Ministry of Communication and Information