As part of a two-day trip aimed at reinforcing economic relations between the Muslim-majority nations amid heightened global geopolitical tensions, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi met President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo on Tuesday, May 23, 2023.
At a ceremony held in the presidential palace in Bogor, a city nearby Jakarta’s capital, Widodo welcomed Raisi. Raisi is in Indonesia at Widodo’s invitation as Indonesia seeks to increase exports to hasten the post-pandemic recovery process.
The visit was anticipated to strengthen Iran’s ties with Indonesia as Tehran seeks alternatives to the United States-led Western hegemony over world affairs and seeks to win over more cooperation after the two countries wrapped up talks this month on the $20 billion Indonesia-Iran Preferential Trade Agreement.
The two Presidents observed the signing of the Preferential Trade Agreement and ten other agreements.
Following their discussion, Widodo and Raisi held a joint press conference where they stated they also discussed increasing export potential to the Middle East and Persia as well as providing Iranian companies with options to engage in the construction of Indonesia’s new capital on Borneo island.
According to data from the ministry, commerce between Indonesia and Iran totaled $54.1 million between January and March, while the value of bilateral trade rose by more than 23% to $257.2 million last year.
The largest economy in Southeast Asia, Indonesia, is looking for new markets to expand its export opportunities and lessen its reliance on established trading partners, many of whom have been harmed by the weakening global economy and geopolitical dangers.
“The numerous documents that we signed today showed the will of the two countries to develop relations in all situations despite of threats and sanctions by the enemies,” Raisi stressed.
“Remarkable Development” In Iran Despite U.S Sanctions
Moreover, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi professed that his country has attained “remarkable development” in the economy, science and technology despite decades of U.S. government sanctions following the seizure of its embassy in Tehran in 1979.
“We believe that sanctions and threats cannot stop us in any way from cooperation and communication with neighboring countries, Muslim nations and countries that are aligned with us.”
Ebrahim Raisi
The two leaders reportedly discussed the rising geopolitical tensions in many regions of the world and decided to keep supporting the Palestinians, women’s education, and humanitarian help in Afghanistan.
While in Indonesia, Raisi is slated to lay a wreath at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery in Jakarta to honor Indonesia’s war dead. Before leaving Jakarta on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, Raisi will have discussions with Indonesia’s House Speaker, Puan Maharani, religious figures and business people.
He will also visit Jakarta’s Istiqlal Grand Mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia, and give public lectures in an Islamic university.
Widodo’s last trip to Iran was in 2016, while the last official state visit from Iran was in 2015 when Hassan Rouhani attended the 50th commemoration of the Asia-Africa Conference in West Java’s Bandung city.
