VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInews, Jakarta: Rina Permatasari Bey, Second Secretary at the Directorate of Intra and Inter-Regional Cooperation for the Americas and Europe at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated on Friday (August 16, 2024) that Indonesia and Latin America share many commonalities in building cooperative relations. According to her, these shared values are a crucial asset in further strengthening the ties between the two regions.

"I believe we have many similarities. And because we are both developing nations, we need to combine our strengths. Therefore, we must collaborate to forge stronger relationships," she said during a dialogue with RRI Voice of Indonesia in Jakarta.

She further emphasized that Indonesia and Latin American countries should promote more forums that bring together the potential of both sides. This effort, she believes, will not only strengthen government-to-government relations but also foster connections at the societal level.

"In Indonesia, there's a saying, 'tak kenal maka tak sayang'—if we don't know each other, we don't care for each other. So, it is crucial to have numerous activities and forums across various sectors—economics, culture, sports, or the arts—that can bring the people of Indonesia and Latin America closer together," she remarked.

Indonesia will host the Indonesia-Latin America and the Caribbean (INALAC) Business Forum 2024 in Lima, Peru, from September 11 to 13, 2024. Although this marks the sixth iteration since its inception in 2019, this year's INALAC is the first to be held outside Indonesia.

Rina Bey highlighted that INALAC is one of Indonesia's efforts to introduce its domestic potential to the people of Latin America and the Caribbean. She believes that this introduction can build trust, particularly in the business sector.

"Understanding is an invaluable concept. We need to know each other better, understand each other more deeply, and engage in more dialogue. If we treat each other with respect, we will build greater trust, and doors will open," she stated.

She concluded by noting that INALAC serves as a platform for the people of Indonesia, Latin America, and the Caribbean to meet and get to know one another. "If we do not start now, some of our brothers and sisters will be left far behind. Therefore, we must utilize this forum to bring the communities in our regions closer together," she concluded.