Sheikh Hasina's visit to improve ties<\/p>\n
Sheikh Hasina's visit to Indonesia is the first by a
\nBangladeshi head of government since former president Ershad came
\nin 1986.<\/p>\n
But while personal interaction at the highest level might have
\nbeen minimal in the past 11 years, ties between the two countries
\nhave remained strong and are likely to improve further, according
\nto Bangladesh Ambassador to Jakarta, Zia-us-Shams Chowdury.<\/p>\n
\"The extremely close and warm relations between Bangladesh and
\nIndonesia go back to strong historical roots. Our experiences
\nduring our respective wars of liberation were similar and the
\ntravails we went through were of the same scale.<\/p>\n
\"From the time of our war of liberation, and early days of
\nindependence, when support from friendly countries was so
\nimportant, Indonesia stood by us. We in Bangladesh remember this
\nvery fondly and it has created a reciprocal and spontaneous
\ngoodwill among our people toward Indonesia.\"<\/p>\n
Other factors that Chowdury sees as contributing to the
\ncurrent healthy relationship are the many common aspects in the
\ntwo countries' cultures, social situations and values.<\/p>\n
\"Both countries are multireligious and we both practice a
\ntolerant ethos for harmonious coexistence among our various
\nreligious groups,\" he said.<\/p>\n
There are differences between the two nations however, one
\nmost notably being their respective economies stage of
\ndevelopment. Bangladesh is where Indonesia was more than a decade
\nago, and it is keen to catch up.<\/p>\n
Chowdury believes that \"our economy is at a crucial stage and
\nwe are hoping to enter a period of sustained growth if things go
\nwell. Indonesia, in the past decade, has enjoyed a very bright
\nand vibrant spell in its economic progress.\"<\/p>\n
\"We feel that many of Indonesia's macroeconomic lessons have
\ngreat relevance for us and can be a useful guide as we try to
\ntravel on the road to a better future. Our prime minister can
\ngreatly enlighten herself from the visit.\"<\/p>\n
This enlightenment will hopefully go beyond strengthening
\nexisting ties and progress to developing new areas of cooperation
\nbetween the two countries, especially on the trade front.<\/p>\n
The bilateral balance of trade is currently heavily against
\nBangladesh. While Dhaka exports US$10 million worth of goods to
\nIndonesia annually, its imports from Jakarta exceed $100 million.<\/p>\n
In order to close this gap, Bangladesh is creating what
\nChowdury describes as \"a very investor-friendly climateinour
\ncountry\". Many countries are already taking advantage of the
\n\"host of incentives\" being offered by the new Board of
\nInvestment.<\/p>\n
Chowdury accepts that as ambassador, it is his job to \"get
\nvarious concerned circles in both our countries to be more
\nactively involved in further development of our existing
\ncooperation.\"<\/p>\n
But he stresses that this is just a facilitating role to
\ncreate the right climate, it is the private sector that must
\nforge the links.<\/p>\n
To this end, \"a team of businessmen will accompany our prime
\nminister and we will have a program with the Indonesian Chamber
\nof Commerce and Industry.\"<\/p>\n
\"I hope this will set in motion a positive momentum for
\nexpanded economic cooperation.<\/p>\n
\"The specific aims here are to explore the scope for raising
\nthe level of our trade and to achieve a better balance in the
\ntrade, and to try to develop investment and joint ventures on the
\nbasis of comparative advantages.\"<\/p>\n
A cement-production joint venture already exists between the
\ntwo countries and Bangladesh is looking to boost ties in several
\nother areas, including infrastructure development, oil and gas,
\nglass and ceramics, textiles, leather and rubber products and
\ntechnology.<\/p>\n
Chowdury said: \"Indonesia's manufacturing sector is now making
\nan outstanding contribution to its economy and its products are
\nnow very competitive.<\/p>\n
\"Bangladesh can learn much from Indonesia's success.\"<\/p>\n
And not only in how to develop its economy. \"There is also
\nscope for strengthening existing cooperation in a number of
\nsocioeconomic fields, such as poverty alleviation, agriculture,
\npopulation control and human development.<\/p>\n
\"These all matter so much in the context of Bangladesh's
\npursuit of a better future. We can draw important lessons from
\nIndonesia's experiences in these fields.\"<\/p>\n
Interaction has already begun on both the trade and
\nsocioeconomic fronts, Chowdury said.<\/p>\n
\"Almost every month, delegations from Bangladesh come here to
\nattend workshops and seminars in a whole host of social areas.<\/p>\n
\"And on the industrial side, several joint ventures have been
\nstarted recently, for example in cement production.\"<\/p>\n
To ensure these fruitful beginnings are not wasted, \"another
\nthing the visit will focus on is to see whether we can develop an
\ninstitutional mechanism for regular dialog which, in the context
\nof the changing world, is becoming increasingly necessary,\"
\nChowdury said.<\/p>\n
The two countries also have many shared interests and common
\nconcerns on the global scale. These include the Non-Aligned
\nMovement, the Organization of Islamic Conference and the newly
\ncreated D-8. Sheikh Hasina will take advantage of her meetings
\nwith President Soeharto to discus these.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesia's impact in the Asia Pacific region for fostering
\ngreater regional stability and promoting new structures of
\neconomic cooperation is so very visible,\" Chowdury said.<\/p>\n
\"In our region, South Asia, Bangladesh is working hard, along
\nwith our partners in the South Asian Association for Regional
\nCooperation, to create a better environment of cooperation and
\nfor improving the quality of life for our people.<\/p>\n
\"So, our prime minister will have many interesting issues to
\ndiscuss with President Soeharto for our mutual benefit.\"<\/p>\n
The two governments are also expected to sign several
\nagreements on trade to further boost bilateral economic links.<\/p>\n
Therefore, if everything goes according to plan, Chowdury sees
\nno reason why \"we can't realize a reasonable ratio of the good
\npromises and potential of this important visit.\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/sheikh-hasinas-visit-to-improve-ties-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}