Staff Reporter :
Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has urged Indonesia to support Bangladesh’s bid for ASEAN membership and to explore new business opportunities for Bangladesh in Indonesia.
The appeal was made during a farewell visit by Indonesian Ambassador Heru Hartanto Subolo at the Chief Adviser’s office in Tejgaon, Dhaka.
Dr. Yunus underscored the importance of ASEAN membership for Bangladesh, requesting Indonesia’s backing in advancing Bangladesh’s application.
“This is very important for us,” he told the ambassador, noting that he had also discussed the issue with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, as Malaysia is set to assume the ASEAN chair in January.
Ambassador Subolo assured that Indonesia would closely follow Bangladesh’s application process, expressing support for the Interim Government.
“Indonesia stands ready to support Bangladesh in all possible ways. Hopefully, it will benefit both countries,” he stated.
Reflecting on his past visits to Indonesia, Dr. Yunus noted the limited presence of Bangladeshi businesses in the country, despite Indonesians’ awareness of Bangladesh.
Economic and social interactions between the two nations, he observed, remain limited.
“It’s unfortunate that there are not many Bangladeshis in Indonesia. We must find ways to bring us closer,” he emphasised.
Dr. Yunus also proposed initiatives to strengthen ties, including increasing opportunities for Bangladeshi students in Indonesian universities, hiring Bangladeshi doctors, and expanding imports of Bangladeshi pharmaceuticals.
Ambassador Subolo responded positively, promising to work towards enhanced economic cooperation.
The ambassador praised the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Pertamina Power Indonesia and Coal Generation Company Bangladesh Limited, signed in July 2024.
The MoU, focusing on investment in solar PV projects in Matarbari and other areas, marks a promising collaboration between the two countries.
Dr. Yunus congratulated Indonesia’s newly elected President, Prabowo Subianto, and extended an invitation for him to visit Bangladesh at a convenient time, hoping to further strengthen bilateral relations.
