During their meeting on Thursday, Sugiono outlined Indonesia's national priorities, including efforts to eradicate poverty by optimizing the use of existing resources.
"The economic potential of the two countries remains open for future development. Indonesia is ready to increase exports of superior products, especially in the agricultural and pharmaceutical sectors, which are greatly needed in Ethiopia," he said as quoted from a statement on Friday.
He also emphasized the importance of revitalizing the two countries' Joint Commission Meeting (SKB) mechanism as a foundation for strengthening cooperation in various fields.
In the economic sphere, Sugiono noted a positive trend in increasing bilateral trade. The value of Indonesia-Ethiopia trade has increased significantly in recent years, reaching US$98 million in 2024, up 55 percent from the previous year.
Several Indonesian companies have also been operating in Ethiopia, especially in the manufacturing sectors of household cleaning products, food, and textiles.
Sugiono then highlighted the need to establish a Bilateral Investment Treaty between Indonesia and Ethiopia to provide certainty and protection for investments, as well as to encourage new, mutually beneficial investments.
Minister Sugiono and Ambassador Aleka also agreed on prioritizing food and energy security for future cooperation, especially in coconut, sugar cane, and seaweed commodities.
The two parties also discussed cooperation in developing wheat commodities, with Ethiopia expressing interest in learning sugar cane cultivation technology from Indonesia.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to strengthen cooperation in the fields of education, research, and human resource development.
Sugiono then invited Ethiopia to deepen collaboration within the BRICS framework to ensure the aspirations of developing countries (Global South) are represented in decision-making at the global level.
Through synergy in BRICS, Indonesia and Ethiopia can contribute to realizing a more just, peaceful, and prosperous world while encouraging the achievement of their respective national development goals.
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Translator: Kuntum Khaira R, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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