VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInews, Jakarta: Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi met Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abdul Momen in Jakarta on Monday (4/9/2023). The two discussed cooperation in the fields of energy and trade, as well as issues in the region. The meeting was followed by the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) related to energy cooperation between the two countries.

"At the meeting, an Energy Cooperation MoU was signed between the two countries which is expected to encourage investment in the energy sector. The two foreign ministers agreed to implement the MoU as soon as possible, including by facilitating the investment of Indonesian state-owned enterprises for the construction of power plants in Bangladesh," states the official statement from the Foreign Ministry received on Tuesday (5/9/2023).

To strengthen trade cooperation, Indonesia and Bangladesh are currently discussing a preferential trade agreement (PTA). With the PTA, tariffs on products from both countries can be further reduced, so that trade between the two can be even more stretched.

"Both Foreign Ministers agreed to accelerate PTA negotiations with a target of completion this year," the statement continued.

Regarding regional issues, Retno appreciated Bangladesh's support for Indonesia's chairmanship of ASEAN, and its commitment to strengthen partnerships with ASEAN. She and Abdul Momen agreed on the importance of implementing the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) in Southeast Asia. Bangladesh itself attended the 2023 ASEAN Summit in its capacity as chair of the Indian Ocean Coastal Association (IORA). (VOI/Rama)