Diplomatic Desk:
Bangladesh and Indonesia have expressed interest in undertaking priority joint projects over the next five to ten years, aiming to elevate their bilateral relations to a higher level and establish a long-term strategic partnership.
This matter was discussed during a bilateral meeting between Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Humayun Kabir, and Indonesia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Anis Matta, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday (October 6, 2026).
The meeting reaffirmed the long-standing friendly relations and growing cooperation between Bangladesh and Indonesia. Representatives from both countries discussed various aspects of bilateral ties, including trade and investment, energy cooperation, health, disaster management, education and training, and consular cooperation. Additionally, views were exchanged on issues of mutual interest at regional and multilateral levels.
During the meeting, State Minister Humayun Kabir put forward five specific proposals to further deepen the excellent existing relationship between Bangladesh and Indonesia.
The proposals included: reinstating the ‘visa-on-arrival’ facility for Bangladeshi citizens in Indonesia; importing more pharmaceuticals from Bangladesh to meet Indonesia’s growing demand; importing jute bags from Bangladesh under a Government-to-Government (G2G) arrangement for the eco-friendly packaging of products such as coffee beans; creating opportunities for Bangladeshi potatoes to enter the Indonesian market; and establishing institutional cooperation in disaster management.
Regarding cooperation in disaster management, a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) from the Bangladesh side was handed over to the Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister during the meeting.
Noting that Indonesia is one of the world’s largest markets for Halal food consumption, Humayun Kabir emphasized the need to further strengthen cooperation between the two nations in the Halal sector. He also called for advancing the relationship between Bangladesh and Indonesia towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Welcoming these proposals from Bangladesh, Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister Anis Matta expressed gratitude for the invitation to visit the country and for the warm hospitality extended to him. He conveyed Indonesia’s interest in elevating bilateral relations to a long-term strategic partnership.
To this end, Anis Matta proposed undertaking priority joint projects that could be implemented within the next five to ten years. He also urged both nations to explore the possibility of launching direct air links between Dhaka and Jakarta to further enhance people-to-people connectivity.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir welcomed this visionary initiative by the Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister.
During the meeting, Humayun Kabir thanked the Indonesian government for its continued support regarding issues of mutual interest in various regional and international forums. He sought Indonesia’s ongoing cooperation regarding Bangladesh’s bid for ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partnership, its pursuit of membership in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and the safe, dignified, and sustainable repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Bangladesh.
In response, Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister Anis Matta assured Indonesia’s continued support on these matters.
Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ South-East Asia Wing, senior ministry officials, and the Ambassadors of Bangladesh and Indonesia stationed in Jakarta and Dhaka, respectively, were present at the meeting.
It is worth noting that Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister Anis Matta is currently in Bangladesh on an official visit from October 5 to October 9, 2026, at the invitation of State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir.
