Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation (BKSAP) of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia, Juliari P. Batubara, led a delegation paying a working visit to Austria to improve bilateral trade balance between the two countries. The relation, established since 1954, was expected to boost economic and political cooperation. 

Batubara said the long term relationship between Indonesia and Austria was marked by exchangingvisits frequently at the government and parliament levels. In the political cooperation, the two countries have supported each other for their candidacies in UN organs and other international organizations. 

“For example, Austria supported Indonesia’s candidacy for non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2019-2020 period. In return, Indonesia supported Austria’s candidacy for the non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2027-2028 period,” Batubara said in Viena, Austria, Tuesday (22/5/2018). Rofi’ Munawar, Vice Chairman of BKSAP, was also among the 12 visiting members of BKSAP. 

In the economic cooperation, Batubara added, Indonesia had exported furniture, handicrafts, and raw materials, while Indonesia imported machineries and auto spare parts, electronics, processed products, and chemical products. 

In tourism, he also explained the current domestic situation and condition relating to terrorism, saying that Indonesia’s current situation was under control and was safe for tourists. 

In addition, Batubara said opportunities for private sector’s investment is wide open. Indonesia, he added, was pushing infrastructure projects ranging from highways, ports, airports, to power plants, which need huge investment. 

During the visit to Austria, BKSAP delegation paid visits to Austria’s parliament, Ministry of Transportation, Innovation, and Technology, and Siemens Mobility. The delegation had the opportunity to observe the train assembly line from train body frame making to complete train form. 

During the visit, Director of Sales Siemens Mobility Christoph Masopust said his willingness to participate in the transportation development in Indonesia, especially mass railway transportation. 

In response to that, Member of BKSAPRachel Maryam said the House would follow up the cooperation opportunity to Indonesian government, while asking Seimens to give competitive price. She also reminded that the cooperation would not cause any domestic employment problem, such as the influx of foreign labors.

For this part, Masopust said Austria was willing to negotiate to reach agreement on matters related to financial, labors, and technology transfer. (ann/sf-mut)