VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran, Octaviano Alimuddin, said the bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Iran in politics and economy increase significantly. He told RRI World Service-Voice of Indonesia recently said that after the visit of President JokoWidodo to Iran, there was an increase in trading volume of more than 50 percent. In 2016, Indonesia and Iran set a trade volume of 338 million US dollars. He said Indonesian Crude Palm Oil-CPO and food products exports to Iran posted an increase. He hopes Indonesian automotive and textile Products can enter Iran market in the future.

“We want also to further pursue the market of Iran for our textile industry and automotive industry. That’s why for Indonesia we are pursuing to finalize the preferential trade agreement which we have serious of negotiation. 2017 we have two negotiation and we have in 2018 we will also have another negotiation before we could finalize the PTA (Preferential Trade Agreement),” Octaviano Alimuddin said.

Octaviano further said, in the field of investment, based on data from the Investment Coordinating Board, Iran was the big 33rd investor which invests in 17 projects in Indonesia until 2017. He hopes in 2018, Iranian investment will increase. He also stressed that currently there are several Indonesia-Iran joint projects in Palu and Situbondo. In politics, Iran supports Indonesia's candidacy as the UN Non-Permanent Security Council in 2019. In addition, Indonesia and Iran also frequently conduct consultations between government and hold frequent visit of both senior officials.////(VOI/SEKAR/DP)