Jakarta (ANTARA News) - House Speaker Bambang Soesatyo expressed hope that the bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Kazakhstan could continue to improve significantly.

"The House of Representatives will help both countries to increase investment," Soesatyo stated here on Tuesday.

The trade value between Indonesia and Kazakhstan reached US$52.92 million in 2017, up from $22.12 million in 2016.

The statement was conveyed during a meeting with the Chairman of Kazakhstan`s Parliament, Kassym Jomart Tokayev, at the Parliament Complex in Jakarta.

Diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Kazakhstan has been running well.

The two countries have also established Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation and Bilateral Consultation Forum in an attempt to enhance the cooperation between them.

"In terms of trade, I urge Kazakhstan to provide easier access to Indonesian products entering the country`s market, including coconut oil, vegetable oil, beauty products, and glue," he explained.

The speaker also invited Kazakhstan`s Parliament to work together in international forums, such as the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) as well as in the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC), particularly in maintaining the stability of peace and security.

In addition, he invited Kazakhstan`s Parliament to attend the World Parliamentary Forum On Sustainable Development 2018, which is held in Indonesia.

"The House of Representatives has initiated the World Parliamentary Forum to discuss the development of SGDs. We hope Kazakhstan`s Parliament could participate in the forum," he remarked.

The unity of Indonesian and Kazakhstan parliaments can serve as the best solution to alleviate poverty, inequality, and injustice, and to face climate change within the framework of sustainable development.

Tokayev explained that Kazakhstan was actively involved in the One Belt One Road initiated by China.

As a result, Kazakhstan has access to ports in China.

He considered Indonesia to be a key partner in developing Kazakhstan?s relations with various other countries in Southeast Asia.

"The port access in China can facilitate the access of goods between Indonesia and Kazakhstan," he stated.

In addition to the trade relations, Soesatyo and Tokayev agreed to strengthen inter-community relations through education, culture, and tourism cooperation.

(UU.A063/INE/B003)
(UU.A063/A/KR-BSR/B003)

Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018