Indonesia, Uzbekistan to Intensify Bilateral Cooperation

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Rachmat Gobel said that Indonesia and Uzbekistan have agreed to boost bilateral cooperation in various areas.

"The five areas [in the cooperation] are trade, industry, cultural, education, and tourism," Rachmat said in a statement on Friday, Oct. 14.

The statement came after the House deputy speaker for industry and development affairs met Uzbek's Bukhara Governor Botir K. Zaripov, Uzbek Ambassador to Indonesia Ulugbek Rozukulov, and several Uzbek entrepreneurs.

He then highlighted his 2020 visit to Uzbekistan, upon invitation from the local authority, during which the two countries concurred on bolstering bilateral cooperation, including a reciprocity agreement on agricultural products' traffic between two countries.

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While highlighting Bukhara as the cradle of a prominent Muslim hadith scholar, Imam al-Bukhari, the deputy speaker said that he would visit Uzbekistan soon with Indonesian ulemas to pay a visit to the grave of Imam al-Bukhari.

"I believe people-to-people and heart-to-heart relationships are essential. Hence, I will invite several Indonesian ulemas to pay a visit to the resting place of Imam al-Bukhari," he said.

Meanwhile, Governor Zaripov said his visit to Indonesia was based on President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's instruction. According to Zaripov, the Uzbek president had instructed provincial governors to visit Indonesia.

Zaripov went on to say that Indonesia is important for Uzbekistan while adding that Indonesia's first president Soekarno is also a renowned figure in the country, especially for his role in the past revitalization of Imam al-Bukhari's resting place.

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During the meeting, the governor offered cooperation in the trade of cotton, coffee and tea, fruits, electronic appliances, solar power equipment, and oil and gas with Indonesia.

The governor called on the Indonesian business community to invest in Uzbek tourism as his government has allocated 200 hectares plot of land to develop tourist attractions.

Source: State News Antara