On 26th November 2019, Indonesian transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi met with Sweden’s Infrastructure Minister, Thomas Eneroth, for a spot of lobbying following a bilateral talk.
“Support from Sweden would also strengthen cooperation between the two countries,” Mr. Budi said in a statement on 27th November.
Indonesia and Sweden signed a letter of intent for cooperation in developing human resources for air, land and sea transportation in May 2019.
Sweden is well-known for its expertise in developing innovative technology for light rapid transport (LRT), train locomotives and high-speed train.
Indonesia is seeking to secure a board membership with the International Maritime Organization, or IMO, for the 2020-2021 period. Government officials have been lobbying several countries to support Indonesia’s nomination at the 31st plenary meeting of the IMO in London this week.
At the London meeting, Mr. Budi said Indonesia had made a commitment to improve maritime safety and security.
“We will apply regulations that have been issued by the IMO to limit the use of sulphur in boat fuels by 2020. We are actively involved in two projects, the MEPSEAS and Glofouling Partnership,” Mr. Budi said on 28th November.
Budi said the commitment will include improving efforts to strengthen the country’s human resources.
“Improving the capacity of our human resources is the main priority of President Joko Widodo’s government. To that end, we will continue our cooperation with the IMO through the Technical Cooperation Program,” Mr. Budi said.
Early in November, Indonesia organized and hosted a Non-Conventional Vessel Standard course with an eye on strengthening South to South cooperation.
The course was attended by participants from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Fiji, Kenya and East Timor
