VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

House of Representatives (DPR RI) Deputy Speaker Rachmat Gobel stated that Indonesia and Uzbekistan have agreed to boost bilateral cooperation in various areas.

"Five aspects (where cooperation will be intensified) are trade, industry, cultural, education, and tourism," Gobel noted in a statement here, Friday.

The parliament's deputy speaker for industry and development affairs earlier met Uzbek's Bukhara Governor Botir K. Zaripov, Uzbek Ambassador to Indonesia Ulugbek Rozukulov, and several Uzbek entrepreneurs.

He then highlighted his 2020 visit to Uzbekistan, upon invitation from the local authority, during which the two countries concurred on bolstering bilateral cooperation, including a reciprocity agreement on agricultural products' traffic between both countries.

While highlighting Bukhara as the cradle of a major Muslim hadith scholar, Imam al-Bukhari, the deputy speaker affirmed that he would visit Uzbekistan soon with Indonesian ulemas to pay a visit to the grave of Imam al-Bukhari.

"I believe people-to-people and heart-to-heart relationships are essential. Hence, I will invite several Indonesian ulemas to pay a visit to the resting place of Imam al-Bukhari," Gobel stated.

Meanwhile, Governor Zaripov said his visit to Indonesia was undertaken based on President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's instruction. According to Zaripov, the Uzbek president had instructed provincial governors to visit Indonesia.

Zaripov affirmed that Indonesia is important for Uzbekistan while adding that Indonesia's first president Soekarno is also a renowned figure in the country, especially for his role in the past revitalization of Imam al-Bukhari's resting place.

During the meeting, the governor offered cooperation in the trade of cotton, coffee and tea, fruits, electronic appliances, solar power equipment, and oil and gas with Indonesia.

Moreover, he revealed that the Uzbek authority had readied 200 hectares of land for the development of tourism attractions while adding that Indonesian entrepreneurs were invited to invest in Uzbek tourism. (Antaranews)