Bosnia signs MoUs with RI to boost trade ties<\/p>\n
Veeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Bosnia Herzegovina wants to develop its relationship with
\nIndonesia and put more emphasis on trade and economic
\ncooperation, its foreign minister said in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mladen Ivanic said his country,
\nwhich is a little smaller than Aceh in terms of size and
\npopulation, had good relations with Indonesia since the country
\nwas created in 1992.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesia was one of the first countries that recognized
\nBosnia and Herzegovina in May 1992. Now, it's the time to give a
\nnew dimension to our relations by strengthening existing ties on
\none side and putting a special emphasis on the improvement of
\neconomic relations on the other,\" Mladen Ivanic told The Jakarta
\nPost at the end of his three-day visit to Indonesia on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Ivanic and his entourage arrived in Jakarta on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Bosnia and Herzegovina may be a small nation far from
\nIndonesia, but three of Indonesia's six presidents have visited
\nthe area. Sukarno went to Sarajevo in the 1960s when it was part
\nof the former Yugoslavia, while Soeharto and Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri visited the new nation in 1995 and 2002,
\nrespectively, to lay the foundation for strong bilateral ties
\nbetween the two countries. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is
\nexpected to go to Bosnia Herzegovina next year -- but as Ivanic
\nsays, he has been there already.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesia played a significant role in our struggle to
\nestablish our own country. It deployed its forces to Bosnia and
\nHerzegovina under a UN peacekeeping mission in 1990s. Even
\nPresident Susilo was in Bosnia in 1995 as a UN military
\nobserver,\" the journalist-turned-politician who has a PhD in
\neconomics, said.<\/p>\n
Indonesia built one of Sarajevo's biggest mosques, the
\nIstiqlal Mosque, in 2001. About 40 percent of Bosnia-
\nHerzegovina's four million people are Muslims.<\/p>\n
While political relations have always been warm, economically
\nthe total bilateral trade is still small, at only US$1 million
\nthis year.<\/p>\n
\"I must admit the trade between two countries is very low
\ngiven both countries' potential. That's why I have brought a
\ndelegation from my country's chamber of commerce to improve the
\nsituation in the economic field. Both countries' chambers of
\ncommerce signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Wednesday
\nto improve bilateral trade,\" the minister said.<\/p>\n
Indonesia had a bright future due to the potential of its 230
\nmillion people, vast natural resources and its democratically
\nelected government, he said.<\/p>\n
Ivanic met with Indonesian counterpart Hassan Wirayuda on
\nWednesday and signed a MoU regarding bilateral consultations.<\/p>\n
\"Under this MoU, both countries officials will meet every
\nthree years to discuss all the aspects of the bilateral
\nrelationship.\"<\/p>\n
As a modern city, Ivanic said he fell in love with Jakarta at
\nfirst sight due to its high rise buildings and modern
\ninfrastructure.<\/p>\n
The situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina in recent years had
\nimproved a lot, he said. Its economy had been growing at over 5
\npercent per annum since 2001.<\/p>\n
\"Bosnia and Herzegovina is no longer in the headlines. This is
\na good sign. Ours is a stable and peaceful country with so many
\nopportunities. It is an attractive market for Indonesian goods.\"<\/p>\n
Indonesian businesses could also export their goods to
\nCroatia, Macedonia, Bulgaria and Serbia Montenegro through Bosnia
\nand Herzegovina, he said.<\/p>\n
One thing Bosnia and Herzegovina could contribute to Indonesia
\nwas its experience in the power sector and coal mining.<\/p>\n
\"Our major power companies are already working in Indonesia.
\nWe want to expand their operations in terms of volume.\"<\/p>\n
Indonesia largely exports cacao, furniture, wheat and wheat
\nproducts, wood and carpets to Bosnia and Herzegovina and imports
\nelectrical products, machines and mechanical equipment from that
\ncountry.<\/p>\n
Both countries also agreed to abolish visas for diplomats and
\nforeign service passport holders.<\/p>\n
Indonesia, Ivanic said, had agreed to open an embassy in
\nSarajevo very soon.<\/p>\n
\"It is an important decision. The new Indonesian embassy will
\nhelp in strengthening relations between both countries.\"<\/p>\n
During his stay in Jakarta, Ivanic met Vice President Jusuf
\nKalla, businesspeople and political and civil leaders.<\/p>\n
He also delivered a lecture on \"Bosnia and Herzegovina: The
\nRole of the International Community\" at a round table discussion
\nheld at the Indonesian Council on World Affairs.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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