PM Lee to meet Jokowi, Asean leaders and attend human capital dialogue on two-day visit to Bali

SINGAPORE — Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will be making a two-day visit starting on Wednesday (Oct 10) to Bali, Indonesia, where he will hold talks with Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo at the third Singapore-Indonesia Leaders’ Retreat.

During his visit, Mr Lee will also attend a meeting of Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean) leaders and participate in a dialogue with World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim at the Third Annual Human Capital Summit.

“For the upcoming Retreat, Prime Minister Lee and President Joko Widodo will review the progress made in bilateral relations, and discuss ways to deepen cooperation,” said the Prime Minister’s Office in statement on Wednesday, adding that both leaders will also exchange views on regional and international developments.

They last held a Leaders’ Retreat in Singapore on Sept 7 2017, which commemorated 50 years of diplomatic relations between both countries.

In Bali, the two leaders will witness the signing of several agreements, including the Bilateral Investment Treaty, which will offer protection for investments made by Singapore companies in Indonesia and vice-versa.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore further development of the port facilities at Celukan Bawang, northern Bali, and beyond will also be signed between cruise company Genting Cruise Lines and Indonesian state-owned terminal operator PT Pelabuhan Indonesia.

Other agreements to facilitate the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies in Indonesia, lower barriers of entry for financial technology (FinTech) companies to enter each other’s markets and collaborate on FinTech learning will be inked as well.

The Leaders’ Retreat will be taking place concurrently with the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank.

As Singapore is chairing the Asean this year, Mr Lee will also be co-chairing the Asean Leaders’ gathering convened by Mr Widodo with the Indonesian President. 

The Asean leaders will be discussing how they can achieve the Sustainable Development Goals - a set of 17 global goals set by the UN - and overcome development gaps. The gathering will also involve the heads of the United Nations, IMF and the World Bank.

Mr Lee will be accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean and eight other ministers, including Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat, Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing and Education Minister Ong Ye Kung.

Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam will be the Acting Prime Minister in Mr Lee’s absence.