This was one of the issues conveyed by President Jokowi in his introductory remarks at a bilateral meeting with the President of Bangladesh Mohammed Shahabuddin at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Jakarta, on Wednesday.
This bilateral meeting is part of a series of the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta held on September 5-7, 2023. The summit is attended by 19 state leaders, including friendly countries and international organizations.
"Our trade has increased significantly by 19.9 percent in the last five years. We must optimize this achievement," he noted during the meeting.
President Jokowi also emphasized the need for strengthening friendship between Indonesia and Bangladesh to provide concrete benefits for the people of both countries.
Apart from a bilateral meeting with President Shahabuddin, Jokowi is also scheduled to have a meeting with the United States Vice President Kamala Harris.
Meanwhile, on the second day of the 43rd ASEAN Summit, the Indonesian president has been leading the entire series of summit meetings, including chairing the 26th ASEAN-China Summit, which was attended by ASEAN country leaders along with Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang.
President Jokowi also led the 24th ASEAN-Republic of Korea (ROK) Summit that was also attended by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, and the 26th ASEAN-Japan Summit along with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
In the afternoon, President Jokowi along with the leaders of ASEAN countries will hold the 26th ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Summit that will be attended by the leaders of China, South Korea, and Japan.
President Jokowi and state leaders will thereafter attend the 11th ASEAN-US Summit.
The ASEAN-Canada Summit will also be held and attended by the leaders of ASEAN countries along with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Meanwhile, in the evening, President Jokowi and First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo accompanied by Vice President Ma'ruf Amin and his wife Wury Ma'ruf Amin along with state leaders and their spouses will attend the 43rd ASEAN Summit gala dinner.
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Translator: Rangga Pandu A J, Resinta S
Editor: Tia Mutiasari
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