TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia and Mozambique have discussed plans to increase bilateral ties in the form of a more concrete collaboration, especially in the sectors of economy, investment, and social culture. "Mozambique and Indonesia have huge potential to increase their bilateral ties in trade and investment," said Foreign Affairs Minister Marty M. Natalagawa during a press conference with Mozambique Foreign Affairs Minister Oldemiro Baloi at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Jakarta on May 6.
Foreign Minister Baloi asserted that Indonesia is very well known in Africa as the one of the initiators of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), a crucial movement in providing freedom to nations in Africa. Unfortunately, this political relationship has not yet led to an economic alliance between the two nations.
Baloi said that since 2009, Indonesia has been active in oil and gas exploration investments in Sofala, Mozambique. Indonesia also provided financial aid for capacity developments in the agriculture, industry, and textile sectors. However, the trade value between Indonesia and Mozambique in 2012 only amounted to US$120.3 million, down compared to the previous year’s $130 million.
This was Foreign Minister Baloi’s first trip to Indonesia. Aside from meeting with Marty, Baloi also met with Trade Minister Gita Wiryawan and Education and Culture Minister Mohammad Nuh.
NATALIA SANTI