Jakarta (ANTARA) - Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan is seeking to intensify trade cooperation between Indonesia and Turkey in several sectors, including defense equipment.Hasan conveyed the hope during a bilateral meeting with Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat, which took place on the sidelines of the Third Ministerial Meeting of the Trade Negotiation Committee (TNC) on the Trade Preferential System - Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (TPS-OIC), and the D-8 Ministerial Informal Meeting in Istanbul on Monday (June 10, 2024), local time.
Hasan conveyed the hope during a bilateral meeting with Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat, which took place on the sidelines of the Third Ministerial Meeting of the Trade Negotiation Committee (TNC) on the Trade Preferential System - Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (TPS-OIC), and the D-8 Ministerial Informal Meeting in Istanbul on Monday (June 10, 2024), local time.
"With Indonesia's stable economic condition, economic growth above five percent, and controlled inflation, I believe that cooperation with Turkey can be improved, especially in the field of defense and defense equipment system," Hasan said.
He noted that Turkey excels in the field of defense, and its defense companies are growing rapidly. Thus, Turkey can help supply defense equipment such as drones, frigates, helicopters, and fighter aircraft to Indonesia, he added.
He also said that Indonesia and Turkey can improve construction sector cooperation through investment in Nusantara city's development. Turkey welcomed the opportunity to step up cooperation with Indonesia in the defense sector.
According to Hasan, Minister Bolat said that several Turkish companies are ready to meet Indonesia's needs, one of which is supplying Turkey's flagship "ANKA" drones.
"Turkey invites Indonesia to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) as a guarantee for investors," he informed.
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Hasan said that Turkey is also looking forward to increasing the number of direct flights with Indonesia to improve business ties and tourist visits. In addition, it wants to realize halal certification cooperation, both within bilateral cooperation and under the OIC.
For this reason, Hasan encouraged the completion of the Indonesia-Turkey Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IT-CEPA).
"Hopefully, President-elect Prabowo can visit Turkey this or next year and there will be concrete cooperation in the defense industry," he said.