Diplomatic Correspondent: Bangladesh and Indonesia have pledged to elevate their longstanding relations into a long-term strategic partnership, with a focus on trade, halal cooperation and disaster management.

The commitment came during a bilateral meeting between State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir and visiting Indonesian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Anis Matta held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka on Tuesday.

Welcoming Vice Minister Matta, State Minister Kobir reaffirmed the growing cooperation between the two Muslim-majority nations and discussed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, including trade and investment, energy cooperation, health cooperation, disaster management, education and training, consular cooperation, as well as regional and multilateral issues.

State Minister Kobir put forward five specific proposals to deepen the existing excellent relations:

1. Restoration of visa-on-arrival for Bangladeshi nationals in Indonesia;

2. Import of more pharmaceutical products from Bangladesh to meet growing demand in Indonesia;

3. Procurement of jute bags from Bangladesh through a G2G arrangement to support eco-friendly packaging of Indonesian coffee, beans and other products;

4. Opening of the Indonesian market for Bangladeshi potatoes; and

5. Initiating institutional cooperation in the field of disaster management.

In this regard, he handed over a draft Memorandum of Understanding on Disaster Management to the Indonesian Vice Minister.

Highlighting Indonesia’s position as the world’s largest halal food consumer market, State Minister Kobir stressed the need to further strengthen halal cooperation between the two countries. Above all, he urged elevating the relations towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

Thanking State Minister Kobir for the invitation and warm hospitality, Vice Minister Anis Matta welcomed Bangladesh’s proposals and expressed Indonesia’s interest in upgrading bilateral relations to a long-term strategic partnership. To this end, he proposed undertaking priority joint projects over the next five to ten years to achieve the goal of a strategic partnership.

He also encouraged both sides to explore the possibility of establishing a direct flight between Dhaka and Jakarta to further enhance people-to-people connectivity. State Minister Kobir appreciated Vice Minister Matta’s forward-looking vision.

State Minister Kobir thanked the Government of Indonesia for its continued support to Bangladesh at regional and international fora. In this regard, he sought Indonesia’s continued support for Bangladesh’s application for Sectoral Dialogue Partnership of ASEAN, membership of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and the safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Bangladesh to their homeland in Myanmar.

Vice Minister Matta assured Indonesia’s continued support on these matters.

Concerned officials of the South East Asia Wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including high officials and Ambassadors of both Bangladesh and Indonesia based in respective capitals, were present at the meeting.

Vice Minister Anis Matta is on an official visit to Bangladesh from 05 to 09 October 2026 at the invitation of State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, officials said.