Ambassador M. Lutfi: How Indonesia to achieve its potential to be a globally significant

USINDO hosted a highly successful Virtual Welcome Event for Indonesia’s new Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Muhammad Lutfi, on September 22. After a welcoming by USINDO, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs David R. Stilwell welcomed Ambassador Lutfi, introduced the many U.S. government agencies present, and gave policy remarks, including noting that a “prosperous, vibrant, and pluralistic Indonesia is a source of great stability for the broader region.”

Ambassador Lutfi’s remarks communicated to the large audience his view of how Indonesia needs to grow its economy over the next 10-15 years to achieve its potential to be a globally significant developed country.

He saw key factors as (1) investment in infrastructure, combined with a supportive investment climate; making Indonesia an important investment destination;
(2) expansion of trade, including increases in exports as a percentage of GDP, balanced with imports as trade grows.

(3) workforce improvement through education; and (4) enhancing health care. He stated he seeks an early resumption of GSP for Indonesia, further ways to expand trade, and to utilize several newly available mechanisms to increase investment.

An online audience of 300 participated, demonstrating the keen interest in Indonesia’s new Ambassador to the United States. The USINDO audience also warmly welcomed Ibu Bianca Adinegoro Lutfi, who joined the event.