“The current international-class seaports in Sorong and Jayapura, Papua, can be a more lucrative entry point for MSG countries to access the dynamic half-billion Southeast Asia market”.
This was stated by Ambassador Desra Percaya, the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia at the MSG Summit in Honiara, on Thursday.
He said, Indonesia and the Melanesian Spearhead Group share the same objective to prosper the Melanesian population. Fostering an economic and cultural zone between the Southeast Asia and the MSG region can bring this goal closer.
“Indonesia and the MSG have all the means to realize this end.
“The combined GDP of Southeast Asian countries is US$ 2.6 trillion with a population of approximately 622 million people. Almost a quarter billion of this population live in Indonesia, including the 11-million strong Melanesian population.
“Indonesia is a vibrant economy and an important growing market for the MSG countries. With its current annual growth, by 2030, Indonesia will be among the top ten biggest economies in the world.”
At the invitation of MSG members, Indonesia is ready to sharing its experiences in ASEAN and the Asia Pacific region to partner with MSG in connecting the two regions.
People-to-people connection between the 11 million Indonesian Melanesians with the Pacific friends is a strong modality to establishing a cultural and economic relationship between the two regions.
He pointed out that Indonesia and the MSG should not lose sight of the bigger picture and long-term interest of their people. What they have in common far outweigh whatever differences they have. The goals of economic growth, sustainable development, good governance and security of the MSG also mirrors Indonesia’s own objectives.
“Indonesia sent an unequivocal message at the meetings: that while Indonesia and the MSG are aspiring and work for the future, the ULMWP refuses to progress,” added Deputy Minister Percaya.
Furthermore Deputy Minister Percaya stated:
“Simply put, the ULMWP is no more than a separatist group that has no place in the MSG future”.
The Indonesian delegation to the MSG meetings was led by Dr. Desra Percaya, the Deputy Foreign Minister. Other members of the delegation include officials from relevant ministries, representatives from the Indonesian Provinces of Melanesian descent and Indonesia’s missions in Canberra, Port Moresby and Suva.
