Indonesia calls for Singapore’s investment in new capital
Indonesian President Joko Widodo brought home letters of intent from investors interested in the new capital of Nusantara after his trip to Singapore on March 16.
Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo (left) and Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (right) shake hands during a joint news conference at The Istana in Singapore on March 16, 2023 (Photo: EPA)
Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesian President JokoWidodo brought home letters of intent from investors interested in thenew capital of Nusantara after his trip to Singapore on March 16.
Aside from the letters of intent on Nusantara, nine memorandum of understandings (MoUs) for a business-to-business (B2B)cooperation in the healthcare and digital field, as well asseven government-to-government MoUs also related to healthcare, digitalfield, and green energy.
The President said that the country is plann🍸ing to host aforum in May to woo investors to help build the new capital. According to Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong,Singaporean firms will be in attendanceꦛ.
The government datashowed Singapore invested 10.54 billionUSD in Indonesia, accounting for 31.56 % of the total foreign direct investmentin 2022, making Singapore now Indonesia’s largest foreign investor. The government estimated that it would take 466trillion IDR (30.3 billion USD) to build Nusantara, of which 80%of the funding will come from public-private partnerships and directinvestments. Overall, Indonesia have 20 letters of intent from theSingaporean private sector to invest in Nusantara./.
The governments of Indonesia and Singapore have agreed to strengthen cooperation in efforts to overcome the impacts of climate change and achieve sustainable development at the recently concluded 2nd Working Level Meeting.
Indonesia and Singapore have concurred to intensify maritime border patrols to control and prevent smuggling and piracy amid rising crimes along their maritime border.
Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto on February 27 said that his country fully supports the strengthening of its close military cooperation with Singapore that has been built based on the principles of equality, mutual benefit and full respect for each country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as international laws.
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925–2025), Nikulina, who is also a veteran journalist of Russia’s Sputnik News, emphasised the vital role of mainstream journalism in defending the truth and maintaining public trust.
The Ministry of Commerce reported that imports also rose 18% to 29.9 billion USD during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.1 billion USD. In May alone, Thailand posted a 4.6 billion USD trade surplus with the US and a 4.1 billion USD trade deficit with China.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo (left) and Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (right) shake hands during a joint news conference at The Istana in Singapore on March 16, 2023 (Photo: EPA) 
