Jakarta, March 28, 2016 (Antara)- Czech Foreign Minister Lubomir Zaoralek's visit to Indonesia along with 31 businessmen in late February holds significance for enhancing Indonesian-Czech cooperation and partnership established 23 years ago, following Czechoslovakia's breakup into Czech Republic and Slovakia.
During a bilateral meeting in Jakarta on Feb. 25, Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi and Zaoralek held discussions on the two countries' cooperation in five priority areas: trade, investment, tourism, education, and people-to-people contact.
"Bilateral relations between Indonesia and the Czech Republic, especially in the economic field, are progressing well and continue to develop. The two countries, however, still need to optimize their potential and opportunities," Minister Marsudi stated.
Marsudi and Zaoralek discussed bilateral business relations and the "removing of trade barriers," Czech News Agency (CTK) said while quoting Zaoralek's Tweet.
He said economic cooperation between the Czech Republic and Indonesia has huge potential.
According to Czech diplomacy, this form of cooperation might cover the spheres of security and defense, the CTK stated.
According to Czech diplomacy, this form of cooperation might cover the spheres of security and defense, the CTK stated.
"Indonesia, as the largest Muslim country, is a good example of moderate Islam and democracy," he pointed out.
Later, Marsudi informed the press that during bilateral talks with her Czech counterpart, the countries had agreed to sign two bilateral agreements, including the agreement to waive visa requirements for diplomatic and official passport holders as well as attempts to expedite bilateral consultation to increase people-to-people contact.
In the cultural and social sector, cooperation between the two countries would be carried out through the exchange of students and cooperation between universities, she remarked.
Until 2015, Indonesia had offered scholarships to as many as 187 Czech students.
The two ministers also highlighted the progress achieved in bilateral relations, potential cooperation in various fields, the signing of the Visa Exemption Agreement for holders of diplomatic passports, as well as the signing of a memorandum of understanding on Bilateral Consultations.
Under the MoU on Starting Bilateral Consultations, both countries can regularly review the implementation of bilateral cooperation, including on how to boost economic ties between both countries.
Based on the value of bilateral trade between Indonesia and the countries in Central and Eastern Europe, the Czech Republic is Indonesia's fourth-largest partner after Russia, Ukraine, and Poland, with total trade in 2014 recorded at US$260.51 million.
Czech's investment in Indonesia totaled US$34.35 million between 2010 and the third quarter of 2015.
The eastern European nation enjoys Indonesia's visa-free facility, which is expected to boost contacts between businesses and direct trade between the two countries, as well as the flow of tourists to Indonesia.
During his visit, Zaoralek also paid a courtesy call on President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and held meetings with the House speaker and several ministers. He also attended Indonesian-Czech Republic business forums in Jakarta and Yogyakarta.
As part of the courtesy call, President Jokowi and the minister discussed the growing bilateral relations between both countries in the political, economic, and social sectors.
Jokowi made assurance that the two countries can exploit the huge potential for investment in Indonesia.
According to Zaoralek, the Indonesian president accepted an invitation to visit the Czech Republic.
"The president of Indonesia said diplomacy between our two nations works well. Now, it is time for trade relations to also start yielding benefits," Zaoralek affirmed.
After obtaining information on investment from the Indonesian government, Zaoralek expressed confidence that the growth of foreign investment in Indonesia holds promise.
"I believe that today, Indonesia is a promising economy for the Czech businessmen to invest in," Zaoralek stated on Feb. 27, 216.
The Czech foreign minister believes that the transportation and energy sectors in Indonesia could be developed by Czech businessmen.
He pledged to discuss the results of his visit to Indonesia with the Czech businessmen.
"I am sure several opportunities exist for us to expand business in Indonesia in order to increase the value of bilateral trade and investment," Zaoralek affirmed.
The minister claimed that cooperation in the fields of trade and investment between the Czech Republic and Indonesia can be realized in the next few years.
In the political field, Zaoralek stated that his country supported Indonesia's bid for a non-permanent member seat of the United Nations Security Council for the 2019-2020 period.
"I can also promise that the Czech Republic will support Indonesia on the international stage since we view Indonesia as a partner," Zaoralek informed Antara.
The Czech Republic is the 30th largest export economy in the world and the sixth most complex economy, according to the Economic Complexity Index.
In 2013, the Czech Republic exported US$150 billion and imported US$141 billion, resulting in a positive trade balance of US$9.3 billion.
Cars, automobile spare parts, computers, telephones, and insulated wires were the top exports of the Czech Republic.
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(f001/INE/o001)
EDITED BY INE
28-03-2016 14:37:12
(f001/INE/o001)
EDITED BY INE
28-03-2016 14:37:12
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