Support for ASEAN's chairmanship in 2024: Indonesia contributes 6.5 trillion rupiah to Laos.

The Deputy Minister of Finance, Suahasil Nazara, announced that the International Development Cooperation Fund (LDKPI) or the Indonesian Aid Program has allocated assistance amounting to 6.5 billion rupiah to support the government of Laos as the chair of ASEAN in 2024, particularly in the financial process. This long-term assistance includes providing technical support to Lao officials in preparing the agenda for the ASEAN 2024 meetings through a series of experience-sharing sessions, training, and meetings.

According to Suahasil, last year Indonesia proposed several initiatives that need to be continued during the ASEAN chairmanship in 2024, especially Indonesia's new initiatives in the financial sector, such as cooperation in the financial and health sectors (a joint meeting of ASEAN finance and health ministers) and the establishment of the ASEAN Treasury Forum.

"This support not only demonstrates the close cooperation between the governments of Indonesia and Laos, but also highlights the importance of continuing the partnership.

In addition, Suahasil expressed Indonesia's commitments to the ASEAN financial process, which have been implemented through assistance in formulating key issues and logistical arrangements. Collaborating with the Fiscal Policy Agency (BKF) of the Ministry of Finance, LDKPI is implementing activities to promote financial stability and integration in the region, as well as strengthening economic growth in the face of challenges following the COVID-19 pandemic, such as connectivity, resilience, and ASEAN's responsiveness.

Indonesian support for Laos is also aimed at facilitating agreements in the ASEAN financial sector that promote financial stability and integration in the region, as well as strengthening economic growth.