The Indonesia-Kuwait Joint Commission Session is a platform that could be used to strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly in the economic field
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The governmental delegations of Indonesia and Kuwait held discussions on endeavors to boost bilateral economic cooperation between both nations.

"The Indonesia-Kuwait Joint Commission Session is a platform that can be used to strengthen bilateral cooperation, especially in the economic field," Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno L. P. Marsudi noted in statement here on Tuesday.

The Joint Commission meeting was led by Minister Marsudi and Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al Hamad Al Sabah in Kuwai City on September 2, 2019.

"Today, we write a new (page in) the history of Indonesia-Kuwait relations by organizing the First Indonesia-Kuwait Joint Commission Session," she stated.

Marsudi remarked that Indonesia and Kuwait remain the best of allies, sharing common positions on a plethora of global issues.

During the meeting, both nations concurred on bolstering cooperation in the economic, trade, and investment fields as well as sending Indonesian professional workers to Kuwait.

The two ministers also decided to intensify trade that transcends the oil and gas sectors.

Marsudi put forth a suggestion for cooperation in the halal industry as well as digital and creative economic fields.

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Kuwait is one of the major energy partners of Indonesia, with the latter’s oil and gas imports from Kuwait valued at US$214 million in 2018. The bilateral trade value had reached over $403 million in 2018.

Kuwait's Foreign Petroleum Company and Exploration Company (KUFPEC) and the Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA) expressed interest in investing in the oil and gas upstream and downstream sectors of Indonesia’s oil and gas industry.

KUFPEC’s commitment was echoed during a meeting between Marsudi and the CEO of KUFPEC in Kuwait City on September 1, 2019.

During the Joint Commission meeting, Indonesia also sought support from the Kuwaiti government to its proposal on a free trade agreement (FTA) between Indonesia and the Gulf Countries Cooperation Council (GCC).

On August 28, 2019, Indonesia and GCC had inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on holding regular consultations that prioritized deepening economic cooperation between Indonesia and the Arab nations in the Gulf region.

In the meantime, Marsudi had officially inaugurated an Oil and Gas Corner at the Indonesian Embassy in Kuwait City on September 1, 2019, to coincide with the Islamic New Year, 1 Muharram 1441 H.

"The inauguration of the first Oil and Gas Corner at the Indonesian Embassy in Kuwait City marks the important role of RI’s representative to attract investors in the oil and gas sector in Indonesia," she stated.

"The Oil and Gas Corner will facilitate investors in the sector to gauge the oil and gas exploration potential, from Sabang to Merauke in Indonesia, without having to visit Indonesia," she explained.

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Translator: Yuni Sinaga, Fardah
Editor: Sri Haryati
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