Some 29 Singaporean companies interested in investing at IKN: Jokowi

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated that 29 Singaporean companies had shown interest to invest in the development of the new capital city (IKN) Nusantara in East Kalimantan.

"I hope for support for the construction of solar power plants (PLTS) in IKN," he noted in a press conference with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Bogor Palace, West Java, on Monday.

During the retreat format meeting, Jokowi offered Singapore several investment opportunities in Indonesia, including textile manufacturing at the Kendal Industrial Park and construction of a data center in Nongsa Digital Park, Batam.

"Plans for electricity exports to Singapore continue to be encouraged, including investment in supporting green industries," the president revealed.

In the food security sector, both nations agreed to encourage cooperation in technology transfer and exchange of science and technology in food processing, he stated.

Indonesia also invited Singapore to develop three halal product industrial areas, namely in Bintan, Serang, and Sidoarjo.

In the socio-cultural sector, the two leaders discussed strengthening health transformation through investment in building hospitals and clinics, developing the capacity of medical personnel, conducting health digitalization, and developing health Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Bali.

In addition, President Jokowi and PM Loong agreed to continue to encourage the realization of peace in the Middle East and strive to strengthen ASEAN's centrality.

The seventh Leaders Retreat this year is marked as the last retreat for Jokowi and Loong before their reign ends this year.

"This is a strong signal for the continuity of cooperation between the two countries, Singapore and Indonesia," he emphasized.

The two leaders also welcomed the implementation of the agreement on adjustments to air space services (Flight Information Region/FIR), defense, and extradition for which full implementation must be ensured shortly.

During the retreat, President Jokowi and PM Loong witnessed the signing of two memoranda of understanding on cooperation by ministers from both nations in the fields of community empowerment in the mangrove ecosystem and the defense sector.