Jakarta – The Chief of Staff to the President of the Republic of Indonesia Moeldoko wishes auto industry players from Vietnam to collaborate with domestic automakers, bracing the country for the electric vehicles trend.
Moeldoko told his wishes directly to the Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia, Ta Van Thong, during an online courtesy call at the Bina Graha Building, Jakarta, Tuesday (12/7).
“The bilateral trade between Indonesia and Vietnam has reached more than 10 billion USD, proving the ties between the two countries are maintained well. I hope this strategic partnership will continue to be strengthened,” said Moeldoko.
“I invite Vietnam’s automakers to join hands with Indonesia’s businesses in developing an electric vehicle ecosystem, not only at the domestic level of Indonesia, but also at the level of the Southeast Asian region,”.
Vietnam is among Southeast Asia countries that has plans to become a major player in the auto industry and is looking to break into the EV market. The Vietnamese automaker VinFast is betting big on the U.S. market by building a factory in North Carolina, United States.
Vietnam’s first fully fledged domestic car manufacturer aims to produce electric buses and sports vehicles (SUVs) along with its batteries.
Meanwhile, President Joko Widodo had issued a Presidential Regulation No. 55/2019 stipulating a road map for accelerating EV adoption as part of the government’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 29 percent by 2030.
“Vietnam does have an EV manufacturer and it’s aiming for the United States market. I will try to assist Indonesian manufacturers to build partnership with Vietnam in developing electric vehicles,” said Ambassador Ta Van Thong.
Ambassador Ta Van Thong also delivered information regarding the visit of the Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bui Thanh Son, to Indonesia this July.
Indonesia-Vietnam bilateral relations will also be strengthened through a state visit by President Nguyen Xuan Phuc to Indonesia. The Vietnamese President’s meeting with President Joko Widodo in Indonesia will be held around September – October this year.
