Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia and Jamaica commemorated their 40 years of diplomatic relations by holding a virtual meeting between business players of the two countries.

The virtual meeting, which was officially opened by Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, brought together more than one hundred Indonesian and Jamaican business actors, according to Indonesian Embassy in Havana's statement received here on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Jamaican Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson Smith was also present in the commemoration event.

In her opening remarks, Marsudi said that during 40 years of Indonesia-Jamaica diplomatic relations, the two countries have established good trust and cooperation in a number of fields.

"This virtual business meeting will bring the closeness of the business community of Indonesia and Jamaica to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries," she explained.

Meanwhile, Smith highlighted that since the establishment of the Jamaica-Indonesia Joint Commission for Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation in 1996, the two countries have worked together in the fields of agriculture, tourism and research.

"Jamaica looks forward to continuing to improve bilateral relations especially in the field of trade and investment with Indonesia," she added.

In the aspect of social service, Smith also praised some Indonesian nationals for serving Jamaican people through the Missionaries for the Poor in Kingston. Currently, she said, there are 20 Indonesian missionaries living in Jamaica.

On the same occasion, Indonesian Ambassador to Cuba and Jamaica Nana Yuliana said that Jamaica is one of Indonesia's important trade partners in the Caribbean region, as shown in Indonesia's trade volumes to Jamaica that were surplus in 2020 and 2021.

In 2020, Indonesia recorded a surplus of US$15.89 million (Rp228 billion) in its trade with Jamaica. Meanwhile, in the period of January-September 2021, Indonesia's trade surplus with Jamaica was US$11.81 million (Rp169 billion).

"Hopefully, the value of Indonesia-Jamaica trade continues to increase and be equal with the help of a good commitment both from the Indonesian Honorary Consul and cooperation in some excellent sectors including sports and education," Yuliana said.

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Translator: Yuni S, Kenzu T
Editor: Suharto
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