"Earlier, we discussed that if want it to be easier, it (import) can be (carried out) through India or through China," he told the press after the ASEAN economic ministers' consultative meeting with Russia here on Monday.
The meeting was held as part of the 55th ASEAN Economic Ministers' Meeting and Related Meetings, which are being held from August 17–22, 2023, in Semarang, Central Java.
Hasan, who is also serving as the chair of ASEAN economic ministers in 2023, said that importing wheat from Russia through India and China would be easier because ASEAN does not have logistical distribution obstacles to the two countries.
He further said that the Indonesian government is not worried about hindrances to wheat imports from Russia on account of supply from countries in the Americas, such as Canada and the United States, which can meet domestic needs.
He informed that, during the meeting, ASEAN and Russia discussed agricultural supplies from Russia to ASEAN.
They also talked about the implementation of ASEAN-Russia trade and investment cooperation, such as ASEAN-Russia online trade workshops; tourism; connectivity via direct flights; digital security, especially electronic payments; and creative animation; among other things.
In July 2023, Russia decided to quit a deal that allowed Ukraine to export grain across the Black Sea. Russia's pullout put pressure on the food supply chain for commodities such as wheat and corn.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative was launched in 2022 to tackle a global food crisis that had been exacerbated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Russia is one of the world's largest grain exporters.
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Translator: Indra Arief, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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