OREANDA-NEWS. September 26, 2012. Boeing [NYSE: BA] and the Republic of Indonesia today announced that they will collaborate on commercial aviation safety, efficiency and aerospace industry development in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. This enhanced cooperation will support Indonesia’s vision for current and future economic development as well as the ongoing and anticipated growth of the country’s aerospace sector.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Boeing during the government’s Indonesia Investment Day, held at the New York Stock Exchange.

“This MOA reflects a growing partnership between Boeing and Indonesia in the growth of our civil aviation sector. We see this Memorandum as a milestone event for our aviation industry,” said Indonesian Ambassador to the United States Dr. Dino Patti Djalal. “As Indonesia's economy takes off, we are proud to have a solid partner in Boeing to help accelerate that growth in a safe and efficient manner.”

“Indonesia’s impressive economic development is driving rapid growth in the aerospace sector and commercial aviation system,” said Shep Hill, president of Boeing International. “By collaborating with the government, airlines and industry, Boeing is focusing its efforts to help meet Indonesia’s objectives for continued development of human capital, aerospace sector growth and best-in-class infrastructure.”

The MOA was signed by Ambassador Djalal and Stanley Roth, Boeing vice president of international government relations. The collaboration plan lays out several areas where Boeing will engage with Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Education, Directorate General of Civil Aviation, commercial airlines, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and other key stakeholders. Boeing will work with Indonesian airlines, airports and regulatory agencies to support air traffic management initiatives focused on enhancing safety, capacity and efficiency.

Boeing has agreed to work with airlines and others to address unprecedented demand for commercial airline pilots, maintenance technicians and other personnel due to the rapid expansion of Indonesia’s airlines. In addition, Boeing and the government will collaborate to survey Indonesia’s aerospace manufacturing-related companies, universities, and research and development centers and will continue to look for win-win opportunities for further engagement.

Indonesia’s economy has grown rapidly in recent years and is projected to achieve further significant growth and development in the future. The government has developed and implemented an economic development plan to support sustained growth by achieving developed country status by the year 2025 through eight main programs, including the commercial aviation industry.

Boeing has forecasted that air travel in Southeast Asia will grow at an average annual rate of 6.5 percent over the next 20 years. Traffic within the region is expected to grow at a rate of 7.6 percent per year. Boeing has longstanding relationships with Indonesia’s commercial airlines, including Garuda Indonesia, the country’s major network carrier, and Lion Air, a low-cost carrier that operates an all-Boeing fleet and is the world’s largest operator of the 737-900ER.