B’desh, Indonesia committed to strengthening bilateral partnership

Bangladesh and Indonesia have expressed their commitment to deepening and broadening existing bilateral ties and building a long-term strategic partnership between the two countries.

The commitment came during a bilateral meeting between Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister Anis Matta and Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir at the latter’s office in Dhaka on Tuesday.

The two sides discussed various issues of mutual interest and reaffirmed the longstanding and growing cooperation between Bangladesh and Indonesia.

Trade and investment, energy and healthcare cooperation, disaster management, education and training, and consular cooperation were among the issues discussed. They also exchanged views on matters of mutual interest at regional and multilateral levels.

Welcoming Anis Matta to Bangladesh, Humayun Kabir put forward five specific proposals aimed at further strengthening bilateral relations. One of the key proposals was the restoration of visa-on-arrival facilities for Bangladeshi citizens travelling to Indonesia.

Kabir also requested Indonesia to increase imports of medicines from Bangladesh to meet growing demand in the country. He proposed that Indonesia procure jute bags from Bangladesh through a government-to-government arrangement for the environmentally friendly packaging of coffee, beans and other products.

The foreign affairs adviser also called for opening the Indonesian market to Bangladeshi potatoes and proposed institutional cooperation between the two countries in disaster management. He handed over a draft memorandum of understanding on disaster management to the Indonesian deputy foreign minister.

Highlighting Indonesia’s position as one of the world’s largest markets for halal food, Kabir stressed the need to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the halal sector.

He also proposed elevating bilateral ties to the level of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

Anis Matta thanked Kabir for the invitation and warm hospitality extended during his visit to Bangladesh. He welcomed the proposals put forward by Bangladesh and expressed Indonesia’s interest in developing the existing bilateral relationship into a long-term strategic partnership.

To achieve this goal, Matta proposed undertaking priority-based joint projects over the next five to 10 years.

He also encouraged both sides to explore the possibility of launching direct flights between Dhaka and Jakarta to further strengthen people-to-people connectivity.