(Jakarta News) General Chairman of Indonesian Chinese Entrepreneur Association Zhang Jinxiong, Secretary General Zhou Weiliang, Vice Chairman Chen Xin, Senior Advisor Chen Zhiheng, Vice Chairman Xu Changkuan, Li Kaiguo and Deputy Secretary General Yang Xinsheng, September 14, 2024 (Saturday) at 3:00 pm At 30 minutes, a six-member delegation led by Dong Yiwen, executive vice president of Shanghai Overseas Friendship Association, including deputy directors-general Zhang Hanzhi and Zhai Jing, deputy directors of the office Zhu Liping and Zhu Jianping, and secretary Yan Zhirong were welcomed at the club.
Chairman Zhang Jinxiong said, first of all, on behalf of Indonesian Chinese Entrepreneur Association, I would like to extend a warm welcome and sincere greetings to the Chairman of the Board and his delegation.
Zhang Jinxiong said that the ten ASEAN member states have a population of more than 670 million and a GDP of approximately US$3.7 trillion. Among them, Indonesia has the largest population and economic size, accounting for about 40% of the entire ASEAN. Indonesia's GDP growth rate reached 5.3% last year. Although the international economic situation is complex and volatile and uncertainty continues to increase, Indonesia's economy still shows strong resilience. In the just-released economic data of ASEAN countries for the first half of this year, Indonesia continues to lead ASEAN countries with a total GDP of US$680.4 billion, a growth rate of 5.08%.
Indonesia also has a very good demographic structure, with the median age being less than 30 years old, a huge demographic dividend, and an abundant labor force of young adults, which provides sufficient human resources and development potential for Indonesia's future economic development. Along with the steady growth of the economy, the Indonesian government is also constantly optimizing and improving service levels to provide investors with "one-stop" convenient services. The "Comprehensive Employment Law" launched by the Indonesian government in 2020 has opened up more fields for foreign investment and lowered the entry threshold, allowing more excellent companies with advanced technology and management experience to join Indonesia's economic construction.
Indonesia has always attached great importance to economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges with China. Today, the relationship between the two countries is at its best period in history, with fruitful cooperation in various fields and close trade and investment relations. Last year, the total trade volume between the two countries reached US$139.4 billion, and China has been Indonesia's largest trading partner for 11 consecutive years. In 2023, mainland China's direct investment in Indonesia reached US$7.4 billion, continuing to remain Indonesia's second largest source of foreign investment. These investments not only promote Indonesia's economic development and create local employment in Indonesia, but also provide Chinese companies with vast overseas markets and opportunities.
Zhang Jinxiong pointed out that Indonesian Chinese Entrepreneur Association and the Shanghai Overseas Friendship Association have maintained good communication and contact for many years. In the future, they will continue to actively assist and support the communication and exchanges between entrepreneurs and business associations in the two countries, and promote the communication and exchange between Indonesia and Shanghai. Close cooperation between the Shanghai Municipal Government and the industrial and commercial circles in the fields of trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges. We hope that today’s exchange will spark new sparks for cooperation between Shanghai and Indonesia and bring more opportunities and development space to both countries. Finally, I wish the delegation a successful and fruitful trip to Indonesia.
Vice President Dong Yiwen pointed out that the Shanghai Overseas Friendship Association is a non-governmental organization that strengthens contact and cooperation between people from all walks of life in Shanghai and friends at home and abroad. Unite compatriots at home and abroad who love the Chinese nation, strengthen ties, enhance friendship, expand exchanges, promote cooperation, and serve Shanghai's economic and social development. Shanghai Overseas Friendship Association is an important window for Shanghai to communicate with overseas countries. It has established close ties with more than 30 Chinese associations in more than a dozen countries and regions and has been widely recognized by society.
Dong Yiwen said that we are currently launching the "Gather in Shanghai" platform, and through the platform of "Gather in Shanghai and Create the Future Together," we invite young overseas Chinese students to go to Shanghai for internships. If they have the opportunity, we have six to eight weeks of internship time every year to experience Shanghai. charm, and a deeper understanding of Shanghai. If there are suitable candidates from Indonesian Chinese Entrepreneur Association and Industry next year who want to participate in this event, we are very welcome. Finally, we sincerely invite everyone to take the time to visit Shanghai, visit and invest in it.
