VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Jakarta. President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will jointly open the Hannover Messe 2021 Digital Edition virtually on Monday evening.

"God willing, tonight, at around 18:00 WIB (Western Indonesian Standard Time), President Jokowi will deliver a speech at the opening of the Hannover Messe 2021 Digital Edition. At the same time, at around 13:00 German time, Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel will also deliver her speech," Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita noted in a statement here on Monday.

The world's largest industrial technology expo is being held on April 12-16, with Indonesia as the official partner country.

"Implementing the Hannover Messe event is very important for Indonesia. It is something special since Indonesia is the official partner country of the Hannover Messe. Hence, we see that countries appointed as partner countries are those viewed as being quite advanced in the industrial sector," the minister remarked.

Prior to the joint inauguration by Jokowi and Merkel, several ministries are scheduled to deliver their presentations.

Minister Kartasasmita will give a presentation on the Journey of Making Indonesia 4.0, while the tourism and creative economy minister will highlight the Wonderful Indonesia programs and the Ministry of Trade will draw attention to the global value chain.

The chief of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) will deliver a presentation on developments in investment realization in Indonesia, while the research and technology minister or the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) will review innovations for the COVID-19 vaccine, and CEO of startup company PT Mitra Sejahtera Membangun Bangsa, recipient of the Hermes Startup Award from the Hannover Messe 2020, will also give a presentation.

"On this occasion, Mr Airlangga Hartarto, as the coordinating minister for economic affairs, from Indonesia will give his presentation. In fact, the chairman of DPR (House of Representatives) will also give a speech. This demonstrates that the government and legislature are working together for supporting this activity, especially pertaining to the implementation of Industry 4.0 and the road map for Making Indonesia 4.0," Kartasasmita remarked.

"Hannover Messe 2021 is expected to boost investment, industrial cooperation, and business agreements," he remarked.

Bilateral ties between Indonesia and Germany intensified following President Jokowi’s visit to Germany in 2016, he pointed out.

Both governments concurred on bolstering strategic partnership ties focused on three fields: cooperation in vocational education, renewable energy, and the maritime sector. (Antaranews)