The Australian Associated Press and The Canberra Times are reporting on a pledge signed between Australia and Indonesia to increase economic cooperation ahead of a G20 finance ministers meeting.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers met with Indonesian Finance Minister Mulyani Indrawati in Canberra on Monday to sign the memorandum of understanding.
The agreement will facilitate the exchange of departmental officials from both nations, with dialogue and cooperation to focus on areas such as tax policy and financial regulation.
Clean energy, climate financing and pension systems were also on the agenda.
“That’s why we deepen and renew the MoU today, so we can continue sharing policy experiences in key reform areas and build capacity in both our departments,” Dr Chalmers said in his opening remarks.
Dr Chalmers also flagged facilitating further investment from Australia’s AUD 3.4-trillion superannuation pool into Indonesia.
G20 finance ministers are due to meet in Washington DC in October.
The treasurer says the meeting comes at a time of economic uncertainty, spurred on by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with warnings of another global recession.
“Let’s not mince words: our challenges are intensifying, not dissipating,” Dr Chalmers said.
“Inflation stalks the world, with central banks responding decisively and bluntly. Global growth is slowing (and) most risks are tilted to the downside.”
Sources: Australian Associated Press, The Canberra Times