Indonesia and Costa Rica inks agreement to see better cooperation in energy

Indonesia and Costa Rica have inked a framework cooperation agreement which will see among other things better cooperation in renewable energy – particularly geothermal energy – between the two countries.

The acting head of the economic, finance and banking sub-directorate at the Foreign Ministry’s Central and East Europe directorate, Enjay Diana, said on Sunday that the agreement recently signed by Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi and Costa Rican Foreign Minister Manuel Gonzalez Sanz in San Jose was an important milestone in the cooperation between the countries.

“Indonesia is a country with a largest geothermal energy potential in the world. Meanwhile, more than 90 % of energy needs in Costa Rice are covered with renewable energy, including geothermal energy,” said Enjay as quoted by Antara.

As both countries were prone to natural disasters, he further said, Indonesia and Costa Rica would strengthen cooperation between Indonesian and Costa Rican agencies responsible for handling disaster mitigation efforts.

Enjay further said the two countries also agreed about the importance of increasing cooperation to prevent transnational organized crime, especially drug smuggling. To increase protection of their citizens, the two ministers also agreed on the need for mandatory consular notification.

“The Indonesian foreign minister is optimistic that the country’s manufactured products, such as spare parts, automotive, instant noodles, snacks, handicrafts, spa, textiles, footwear and storage batteries that have entered markets in the region, such as Mexico and Panama, will also get a big opportunity in the Costa Rican market,” said Enjay, adding that efforts to increase trade and investment cooperation were also discussed in the meeting.

Costa Rica has a population of 4.5 million and a per capital income of US$10,893. In 2014, trade between Indonesia and Costa Rica was $28.4 million with a surplus of $20.3 million for Indonesia.