KUALA LUMPUR: Indonesia aims to forge a formidable partnership with Malaysia across diverse sectors to foster robust cross-border collaboration.
With a keen focus on cultivating synergies, Indonesia is poised to embark on collaborative ventures encompassing trade, tourism, and the growing field of clean energy.
Indonesian state-owned enterprises minister Erick Thohir said as the two nations navigate the complexities of global dynamics, the prospect of a strengthened alliance holds the promise of unlocking new opportunities and driving mutual success in the dynamic landscape of international business.
Erick said a proposal to start cruise line operations is being discussed with the relevant ministries in Malaysia and Indonesia to enhance tourism between the two nations.
"Malaysia and Indonesia can create regional competitiveness where we can increase the number of destinations and cruise ships.
"Indonesia has many attractions suitable as cruise destinations. We can increase the number of cruise days from 7 to 12 if we can collaborate and establish attractive routes - from Langkawi to Bali, Labuan Bajo, and further down to Papua, which will be interesting cruise destinations," he told Business Times.
He said establishing a cruise line operation from Malaysia to destinations in Thailand might present logistical challenges.
However, the feasibility of charting a course towards Indonesian destinations is a viable and strategically sound option in terms of new cruise line business operations.
"We have been investing in Bali for cruise liners to dock. Before this, cruise liners could not dock in Bali, and now we have six docking bays for cruise liners to dock.
"Prime Minister (Datuk Seri) Anwar Ibrahim and president Joko Widodo are seriously discussing this proposal, together with various other issues regarding trade, tourism, clean energy and investments," Erick said.
He said Malaysia and Indonesia need to push for stronger collaboration and economic ties and establish regional partnerships with neighbouring countries in various growth sectors.