- Dok. KSP
VIVA – The Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko welcomed the mutual commitment of Indonesia and Iran to forging cooperation in various aspects, and he said that he will support this cooperation and ready to be bridge between two countries.
While receiving Iranian delegates, led by the country's Trade Promotion Organisation (TPO) Head Alireza Peymanpak, here on Wednesday, Moeldoko said the Office of Presidential Staff's (KSP's) support is consistent with its duties as the liaison of government ministries and agencies.
"I hope an Indonesia-Iranian cooperation committee will be established in the future, so we can intensify our communication," the KSP chief stated.
President Jokowi and President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi
- Setkab.go.id
Moeldoko said that he fully supported efforts to boost the trade volume between Indonesia and Iran while expressing optimism that progress would be made despite the trade value between the two countries being only valued at US$257.2 million in 2022.
Indonesia and Iran can develop cooperation in various areas, such as in the agricultural sector and for urea fertilizer production since Iran has huge gas reserves and is one of the main producers of urea fertilizer, he said.
"We can also cooperate in the agriculture sector, and we must learn from Iran because they have advanced technologies," Moeldoko stated.
Moeldoko also expressed hope that Indonesia and Iran would collaborate in developing electric vehicles.
Meanwhile, Peymanpak highlighted Indonesia as an important hub for Iran to bridge relations with countries in Southeast Asia.
"Iran loves the Indonesian people. Hence, this is not only about bilateral relations but also strengthening relations among people in the two countries, including by enhancing economic relations," he informed.
Moreover, he reiterated the Iranian government's commitment to monitoring the implementation of the Indonesia-Iran Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) inked by the two countries.
Earlier, President Joko Widodo had welcomed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi at the Bogor Palace, West Java, on Tuesday, May 23. Raisi will be in Indonesia for his visit until Wednesday, his first since being inaugurated as president in 2021.
