Cambodia Eyeing to Purchase Military Equipment from Indonesia: Minister Retno Marsudi

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, that Cambodia is interested in purchasing a number of military equipment manufactured by Indonesia.

Retno led a bilateral meeting together with the Cambodian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Sok Chenda Sophea, at the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) in Phnom Penh.

Indonesia and Cambodia discussed five major topics, namely political cooperation, defense and security cooperation, economic cooperation, socio-cultural and tourism cooperation, and regional and global issues.

Regarding defense and security cooperation, Retno encouraged strengthening the long-standing partnership, through dialogue, joint exercises, and capacity building.

"In this case, Cambodia expressed interest in purchasing a number of military equipment manufactured by Indonesia such as helicopters and light weapons," she said in a press statement.

She then invited Cambodia to visit the Indonesian defense industry, such as PT PINDAD and PT Dirgantara Indonesia. She also invited Cambodia to participate in the Indo Defense Expo & Forum which will be held on November 6-9, 2024.

The two countries also discussed human trafficking issues, especially concerning the growing problem of online fraud or online scams. According to government records, the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh has handled 842 cases of online scams involving Indonesian citizens.

She also expressed the interest and readiness of several Indonesian companies to invest in the food and infrastructure industries in Cambodia, encouraged the finalization of the cultural cooperation agreement, and encouraged joint studies for direct shipping and the opening of direct flight routes between Indonesia and Cambodia.

Retno said she and her counterpart Sok Chenda Sophea agreed to boost trade value between Indonesia and Cambodia. Both ministers also discussed several regional and global issues such as the situation in Myanmar and the ongoing attack on Gaza by Israel. 

NABIILA AZZAHRA

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