The Foreign Service Institute and the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia jointly organized the Mabini Dialogue on “Indonesia’s New Administration: Economic Potentials and Outlook” with Mr. Ade Petranto, Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission of the Indonesian Embassy, as speaker last 3 December 2014 at the Carlos P. Romulo Library of the DFA Building from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon. The event was held in celebration of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Indonesia.
In his opening remarks, H.E. Johny J. Lumintang, the Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines, emphasized the 65 years of warm bilateral relations between the Philippines and Indonesia enhanced through cooperation in various bilateral and multilateral mechanisms such as ASEAN and APEC. Amb. Lumintang expressed optimism in Indonesia’s emergence as a promising economy under the leadership of the new President Joko Widodo. He also cited the similarities between the Philippines and Indonesia as archipelagic nations and how the maritime doctrine being pursued by President Joko Widodo can strengthen further relations between the two countries
In the main presentation, Mr. Petranto discussed the economic policies of Indonesia, drawing a comparison between the economic reforms instituted by the administration of former Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) and the economic challenges currently faced by newly elected Indonesian President Joko Widodo. Mr. Petranto highlighted the economic strides of Indonesia, which posted an average annual growth of 5.9 percent from 2009 to 2013 as a result of the fiscal policies implemented during the SBY administration. Other achievements include debt completion with IMF and the surge in investment from 23 percent to 31 percent.
Attendees to this Mabini Dialogue were officers and staff of the DFA and other government offices, members of the business community and the academe, and representatives from the ASEAN embassies.
