Indonesia and Eswatini Ink Visa-Free Agreement at the IAF

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia and Eswatini inked a visa-free agreement for holders of diplomatic and official passports (PBVDD) at the Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) held on September 1-3, 2024, in Nusa Dua, Bali, according to the Indonesian Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa.

In a press release from the embassy on Friday, September 6, 2024, the signing was carried out by Indonesian representative, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, and Eswatini Foreign Minister Pholile Shakantu during a series of forum events.

Through the signing of the agreement, the two countries will be able to improve relations, starting from the diplomatic ranks and government officials.

On that occasion, Minister Marsudi expressed hope that the cooperation would increase visits between officials in the two countries.

On the same occasion, Minister Shakantu expressed hope that the agreement would pave the way for intensifying bilateral relations in various other fields for the two countries, which have established diplomatic relations since 1991.

Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is a land-locked country with no coastline, located in western Africa, with an absolute monarchy government led by a king, and has a population of 1.2 million.

The Kingdom of Eswatini is one of the four countries accredited by the Indonesian Embassy in Pretoria, namely the Republic of South Africa, the Republic of Botswana, and the Kingdom of Lesotho.

Meanwhile, the 2nd IAF was held to improve development cooperation between Indonesia and African countries.

Through the forum, Indonesia succeeded in reaching several agreements, including the signing of four business agreements in the strategic industrial sector, nine health business sectors, and six new and renewable energy (EBT) business sectors, with a total value of more than USD3.5 billion, a notable spike from the US$586 million recorded during the forum's first edition held in 2018.

The 2nd IAF was held in conjunction with the High-Level Forum on Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships as a platform expected to facilitate Indonesia and African nations to forge deeper cooperation.

ANTARA

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