Indonesia reaffirms $1-bn bilateral trading target
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Despite ongoing communal tensions in Myanmar, Muslim-majority Indonesia has reiterated its commitment to achieving the target of US$1 billion (Bt30.9 billion) in trade volume with the country by 2016.
Last year, trade volume between Indonesia and Myanmar reached $465 million, increasing 7.98 per cent from $430.7 million in 2011.
“Within three years, we are fully committed to achieve the $1-billion trade volume target,” Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa told media after the third meeting of the joint commission for bilateral cooperation between the two countries on Wednesday.
The enhancement of cooperation includes sectors such as agriculture, energy, technology, preventing and combating transnational organised crime, capacity building partnerships, investment and bilateral trade.
Myanmar Foreign Affairs Minister Wunna Maung Lwin said: “Among others, we also discussed recent development with respect to the reform and national reconciliation process, including Myanmar’s recent approach to prevent the recurrence of communal violence, as well as to achieve peaceful solutions.”
Indonesia provides Myanmar humanitarian assistance through the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) and Aksi Cepat Tanggap (ACT Care for Humanity).
“Around three weeks ago, we handed over $1 million in financial assistance to build three schools equipped with multipurpose halls,” Indonesian Ambassador to Myanmar Sebastianus Sumarsono said on the sidelines of Wednesday’s meeting. The schools are to be built in Rakhine state, which has been plagued by communal violence.
