Indonesia and Bangladesh discuss upgrading bilateral ties to a long-term strategic partnership, with cooperation planned across trade, investment, energy, health, education, disaster management and connectivity.
Indonesia and Bangladesh have discussed upgrading their bilateral relations to a long-term strategic partnership, with both sides exploring expanded cooperation across trade, investment, energy, health, education, disaster management and connectivity.
Indonesia’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Anis Matta welcomed five proposals put forward by Bangladesh to strengthen bilateral relations during a meeting with Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir. Matta is visiting Bangladesh from October 5 to 9 at Kobir’s invitation.
Also Read: Why Transformer Fluids are Becoming Critical Grid Assets
The discussions covered the broader spectrum of bilateral relations, including trade and investment, energy cooperation, healthcare, disaster management, education and training, consular affairs, as well as regional and multilateral issues. The two sides also examined ways to translate existing cooperation into longer-term economic and institutional partnerships.
Kobir presented five proposals aimed at deepening economic and people-to-people ties. These included restoring visa-on-arrival facilities for Bangladeshi nationals travelling to Indonesia, increasing Indonesian imports of pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh, and procuring Bangladeshi jute bags through a government-to-government arrangement for eco-friendly packaging.
Bangladesh also proposed opening Indonesia’s market to Bangladeshi potatoes and establishing institutional cooperation on disaster management. Kobir handed Matta a draft Memorandum of Understanding on disaster management as part of the initiative.
The Bangladeshi state minister also highlighted opportunities to expand cooperation in the halal economy and urged Indonesia to consider elevating bilateral trade relations towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. Bangladesh has previously expressed interest in strengthening trade and investment ties with Indonesia through a CEPA.
Matta welcomed Bangladesh’s proposals and suggested developing priority joint projects over the next five to ten years to support the objective of establishing a strategic partnership. Both sides also explored the possibility of launching direct flights between Dhaka and Jakarta to improve connectivity and facilitate greater people-to-people exchanges.
Also Read: How AI Becomes the Core Engine of Industry 4.0
Bangladesh further sought Indonesia’s continued support for its application for ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partnership and membership of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. Dhaka also requested Jakarta’s support for the safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation of Rohingyas from Bangladesh to Myanmar. Matta assured Indonesia’s continued support on these issues.
The latest discussions build on ongoing efforts by both countries to expand cooperation in trade, energy, agriculture, digital economy, health, tourism and connectivity, with the two sides seeking to develop more concrete projects and stronger institutional links.