Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi met with her Saudi counterpart Adel bin Ahmed Al Jubier here on Tuesday to discuss efforts to strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries.

"I am glad I could meet with the Saudi Foreign Minister to discuss various bilateral cooperation efforts including strengthening economic cooperation," Minister Retno said after the meeting at Pancasila Building in the Foreign Ministry office.

She said the two countries are strongly committed to step up cooperation in the fields of energy, trade and investment.

"In the bilateral meeting this time, which was productive, we also discussed potential cooperation in strategic industry products," she said.

Minister Retno also said Saudi Arabia was keen to increase cooperation in oil and petrochemical sector, crude oil export and tourism.

"I have also conveyed to the Saudi Foreign Minister that Indonesia also wishes to increase exports of automotive spare parts, crude oil and others," she said.

She said the Indonesian government has asked the Saudi government to allow Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) to operate in that country.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al Jubier, during his visit to Indonesia, was also flanked by Aramco CEO and representatives from Saudi public investment fund and development fund agencies.

Minister Adel said Indonesia is Saudi Arabias very important partner. He said the two countries and their peoples have strong and solid relations based on mutual interest in various areas, including trade.

"In view of this, we also brought along Aramco CEO and representatives from public investment and development fund to find the best way to increase investment in Indonesia," he said.

The two ministers also discussed hajj pilgrimage as well as other regional issues at the meeting.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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