Strengthening economic cooperation with Indonesia

19 September 2022

Today I met with Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that strengthens the economic cooperation between our two countries,

Today I met with Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that strengthens the economic cooperation between our two countries.

The renewed MoU will facilitate the exchange of officials and ideas between the Indonesian Ministry of Finance and the Australian Treasury, building on our 15‑year collaboration.

Australia has a deep friendship and strategic partnership with Indonesia and is a strong supporter of its G20 presidency.

The MoU will enhance our countries’ work together ahead of the G20 Finance Ministers Meeting in Washington D.C. next month, at a time of extraordinary volatility and uncertainty in the global economy.

In the face of a deteriorating global outlook and Russia’s illegal and immoral war in Ukraine, Indonesia has carefully navigated a path to ensure the G20 remains focussed on important global issues including debt sustainability, climate change, and an inclusive economic recovery from the pandemic.

During our discussion, I was joined by Minister for Finance, Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher and Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury, the Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP.

Sri Mulyani was accompanied by a delegation of officials from the Indonesian Fiscal Policy Agency, who attended the annual Indonesia‑Australia Economic Policy Dialogue, with this year’s dialogue being hosted by the Australian Treasury.

The dialogue allows for officials to share experience and expertise on economic reform, with today’s meeting focussed on the global and regional outlook, savings and investment, superannuation and pension systems, climate change and the energy transition – topics that are critical to the future of our two countries.

Australia and Indonesia are close friends and neighbours. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Sri Mulyani to tackle some of our shared economic challenges.