Jakarta (ANTARA) - Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan highlighted Indonesia's commitment to improving its collaboration with India.

"The CII Partnership Summit 2023 can contribute positively to improvement of Indonesia-India relations, just like what the founding fathers of the two countries dream of. Improving international collaboration has become crucial and relevant to the theme of this summit," the minister noted in his statement received here on Tuesday.

Hasan made his remarks at the opening of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Partnership Summit 2023 in New Delhi, India on Monday.

Minister Hasan said that India is Indonesia's strategic partner, with trade value between both nations having recorded a high value of US$32.7 billion in 2022.

This figure cemented India's position as Indonesia's main trade partner.

"This also shows the vast potential for trade between the two countries, which keeps increasing despite the challenges in post-pandemic economic recovery and global economic slowdown," he stated.

Indonesia views India in a positive light, especially in the aspects of information technology, health, and pharmacy, he affirmed.

"I am ready to explore further collaboration in these aspects," he affirmed.

The basis of all collaboration is interconnectivity between humans, as it can transcend great distances to form deep bonds, he remarked.

"I hope that relations between the two countries can go beyond Indians' love for Bali and Indonesians' liking for Bollywood movies," the minister concluded.

The summit, hosted on March 13-15, 2023, brings up the theme of "Partnerships for Responsible, Accelerated, Innovative, Sustainable, and Equitable Businesses."

Attendees at the event comprised Indian Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution Piyush Goyal; ministers from the Indian government's cabinet; ministers from Bhutan, Canada, Cuba, South Korea, Mauritius, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as president of CII Sanjiv Bajaj.

Related news: Minister departs for India to support RI's prime commodity exports
Related news: Minister urges Indonesian pupils in India to promote national products
Related news: Buffalo meat from India to start arriving in late March: NFA

Translator: Maria Cicilia G P, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2023