Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul continues his first extended trip to Asia in office with a social and economic focus.

The CDU politician plans to visit the State University of Applied Sciences for Health Professions in the Indonesian capital Jakarta this Thursday, together with Health Minister Budi Gundai Sadikin. Given the shortage of nursing staff, Germany is interested in recruiting skilled workers in this field from Indonesia.

The German government sees great potential for recruiting skilled workers from Indonesia, especially since half the population is under 30 years old. Wadephul plans to meet with the trainees at the university of applied sciences and gain insight into their future career plans in Germany. So far, skilled migration has remained low, with around 1,000 visas issued per year.

Visit to production facility for truck and bus chassis

Afterwards, Wadephul plans to visit a Daimler Truck AG production facility in Cikarang, East Jakarta. Chassis for trucks and buses are manufactured there. At the site, which employs around 200 people and covers a good 130,000 square meters, nearly 200 of these chassis are assembled each month. The site opened in June, with Daimler Truck investing a total of €27 million. One of its special features is its own test track, which Wadephul also plans to inspect.

The minister then plans to visit the Istiqlal Mosque, led by Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar, and the Jakarta Cathedral, led by Archbishop Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo. Wadephul hopes to gain an insight into the coexistence of religions in the city. He also plans to visit the so-called "Tunnel of Friendship" that connects the two places of worship.