Jakarta, 20 July 2022 (TDI): Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, Abdul Momen, held a bilateral meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, on Monday.
The discussion aimed at the conclusion of negotiations on the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between Indonesia and Bangladesh to boost the trade volume.
Foreign Minister Marsudi highlighted that the bilateral trade between Indonesia and Bangladesh last year had surpassed pre-pandemic figures, reaching over US$3 billion.
Moreover, during the January-May 2022 period, the value of bilateral trade increased by 30 percent.
“Bangladesh is one of Indonesia’s most important economic partners in the South Asian region. We are very pleased to see the encouraging trend in our trade relations,” Foreign Minister Marsudi stated.
In addition, the Foreign Ministers of Indonesia and Bangladesh also agreed to extend bilateral cooperation in the energy sector.
Bangladesh-Indonesia bilateral meeting was held in Jakarta today. Hon’ble Foreign Minister Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen, MP & H.E. Retno L. P. Marsudi, the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, led the respective delegation in the discussions. pic.twitter.com/8cmDBJa8AD
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh (@BDMOFA) July 18, 2022
Meeting with Indonesian Minister of Trade
On the 19th of July, Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister, Abdul Momen, met the Indonesian Minister of Trade, Zulkifli Hasan, in Jakarta.
The two ministers discussed the bilateral commercial relations and resolved to speed up the signing of the bilateral PTA this year.
The two Ministers agreed to increase the exchange and contact between the business groups of the two nations.
Momen also invited the Indonesian Minister of Trade to visit Bangladesh on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Diplomatic Relations between the two States.
FM Dr. Momen met the Indonesian Minister of Trade H. E. Mr. Zulkifli Hasan in Jakarta today. The two Ministers reviewed the trade relations between the two countries and agreed to expedite the conclusion of the bilateral PTA in this year of Golden Jubilee of Diplomatic Relations. pic.twitter.com/iyifSKqpsA
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh (@BDMOFA) July 18, 2022
Gathering of Indonesian Business Leaders
Foreign Minister Abdul Momen also addressed a gathering of Indonesian business leaders organized by the Bangladesh Embassy in Jakarta.
A number of Indonesian businessmen, entrepreneurs, investors, and the Bangladesh business delegations were present on occasion.
While addressing the gathering, Foreign Minister Momen highlighted the prospects offered by the country’s rapid development and urged the investors to invest in Bangladesh.
FM Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen, MP addressed a gathering of Indonesian business leaders organised by Bangladesh Embassy in Jakarta this evening. A large number of Indonesian business persons & entrepreneurs as well as the Bangladesh business delegation were present on the occasion. pic.twitter.com/7F6lWz29SN
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh (@BDMOFA) July 18, 2022
Meeting with Minister of Industries
Foreign Minister of Bangladesh Momen also had a meeting with the Minister of Industries of Indonesia, Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita.
In the meeting, he suggested Indonesia consider Bangladesh’s request to include high-value products such as RMG in the trade agreement to close the gaping trade deficit.
The two Ministers agreed to increase the exchange and contact between the business groups of the two nations.
FM Dr. Momen urged Indonesia to consider favorably the request of Bangladesh for including RMG products for accelerating conclusion of proposed bilateral PTA. He told this during his meeting with Mr. Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, Minister of Industries of Indonesia in Jakarta today pic.twitter.com/S2ZlFWrByV
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh (@BDMOFA) July 19, 2022
