Indonesian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Muhammad Anis Matta on Thursday met Prime Minister's adviser and spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office Mahdi Amin to discuss simplifying visa and travel procedures and enhancing bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Indonesia.
The meeting took place at the Prime Minister's Office in Tejgaon in the morning.
During the meeting, detailed discussions were held regarding enhancing people-to-people contact, expanding educational linkages and fostering cooperation in the energy sector.
Particular emphasis was placed on the facilities, amenities and safety of the large number of tourists travelling from Bangladesh to Indonesia.
Both sides exchanged views on increasing bilateral trade and creating opportunities for more Indonesian companies to operate in Bangladesh.
Key topics of the meeting included simplifying visa processes, reinstating visa-on-arrival facilities for Bangladeshi citizens and launching direct flights between Bangladesh and Indonesia.
Emphasis was put on leveraging new opportunities for cooperation in potential sectors like trade, investment, energy, tourism, education and people-to-people contact to further deepen the economic and strategic partnership between the two nations.
They also discussed increasing Indonesian investment in Bangladesh and fostering closer ties between the business communities and entrepreneurs of both countries.
Besides, opportunities for expanding trade in ready-made garments, jute, agriculture and palm oil, as well as increasing the export of halal products, were discussed.
Both sides also agreed to strengthen multifaceted cooperation and advance the bonds of shared Muslim brotherhood.
Indonesian Ambassador to Bangladesh Listyowati and Bangladesh Ambassador to Indonesia Md Abul Hasan Mridha were present during the meeting.