Indonesian Vice President Maaruf Amin stressed that the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict creates geopolitical division, slows global economic development, and increases the prices of essential commodities.
Indonesia is one of the G20 countries and the group's president for 2022. It presents itself as a neutral and fair country, prioritizing global interests.
In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat from the holy sites after performing the Hajj, Amin said President Joko Widodo's visit to Ukraine and Russia aimed to bridge peace efforts between the two countries.
He asserted that Indonesia is optimistic that there will be concrete steps to move forward and end the war.
The VP acknowledged that the G20 Summit was full of geopolitical challenges, stressing his country's commitment to extending an invitation to the Russian President despite the objection of many member states.
Indonesia also invited Ukraine's President to attend and participate in the G20 Summit to find solutions for the global economic recovery.
Amin said that the world is facing multiple crises due to climate change and geopolitical dynamics, which created the food and energy crisis that impacted the rising prices and increased economic inflation.
Indonesia sees the importance of managing geopolitical dynamics so that all parties can sit together and open dialogue for an inclusive global recovery.
The G20 Summit in Indonesia will be held on the island of Bali from November 15-16, under the theme of "Recover Stronger, Recover Together."
Amin explained three main priorities to be highlighted at the Summit: global health infrastructure, digital economic transformation, and sustainable energy transformation.
He explained there are about 441 events in 25 Indonesian cities and regions, in addition to 20 meetings at the ministerial and central bank governor levels, 17 sessions at the level of Sherpa and Sherpa deputy, 63 meetings at the level of the working group, and 90 engagement group level meetings.
Amin pointed out that the Summit's activities will be implemented through the Bubble System amid COVID-19 precautionary measures, reiterating that it is imperative for each party participating to strictly adhere to health protocols and policies set by the Indonesian government.
Indonesia will ensure that the G20 Summit is the main forum for international economic cooperation to discuss the priorities of the agendas.
Addressing Saudi-Indonesian relations, the VP stressed his country's strategic relationship with Saudi Arabia, acknowledging at the same time that his country benefits from the Indonesian Hajj and Umrah system to maximize economic cooperation and marketing of Indonesian products in the Kingdom.
Amin stressed that Riyadh was and always will be a strategic partner for Jakarta.
“The Indonesian-Saudi trade reached $5.5 billion,” Amin said, recalling that diplomatic relations date back to 1947.
He asserted the importance of Widodo's visit to Saudi Arabia between 2015 and 2019 and the visit of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman, to Indonesia in 2017.
Amin explained many opportunities to develop the economic system of Hajj and Umrah for Indonesia within Vision 2030.
He said that the Hajj Financial Management Agency (BPKH) focuses on increasing the use of Hajj management funds by exploring investments in the Middle East through the involvement of Indonesian SMEs.
The Vice President explained that the Kingdom allows Indonesia the largest quota of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims annually.
Before the coronavirus pandemic, Jakarta was allowed to send 230,000 pilgrims annually, dropping to 10,151 pilgrims, while Saudi Arabia receives one million pilgrims annually.
Amin pointed out that Indonesia pays an amount of money reused for Hajj and Umrah operations, some of which goes to small and medium-sized companies in the field.
He pointed out that his country's government enhances the needs of the Saudi economy through Hajj Financial Management, including projects to establish housing for Indonesian Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.
Bilateral trade and investment movements still face some problems, said Amin, asserting that they will be addressed and solved.
Jakarta sees the importance of concluding the comprehensive bilateral agreement with Riyadh, adding that his country just concluded the comprehensive economic partnership agreement with the United Arab Emirates.
Amin added that between January and December 2021, Indonesia's exports to the Kingdom amounted to $1.5 billion, a 12.78 percent increase, compared to the same period in 2020.
Indonesia imports a third of its crude oil needs from the Kingdom.
Bilateral relations between the two countries face challenges that need to be resolved to move forward with the strategy of long-term relations and promote mutual benefit and reciprocity, asserted Amin.
