TEHRAN – Iran and Indonesia’s standards authorities have stressed the development of technical cooperation between the two countries’ halal standards sectors, IRIB reported.

In a meeting between the head of the Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran (INSO) and the head of the National Standardization Agency of Indonesia (BSN), on the sidelines of the 18th General Assembly (GA) Meeting of the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC) in Saudi Arabia, the two sides agreed to expand cooperation in the mentioned sector.

INSO Head Mehdi Eslam-Panah said in this meeting that Indonesia, which has more than 12 percent of the world's Muslim population, has valuable experiences in the halal sector that can be used by Iran.

Addressing a ceremony to celebrate the 78th anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence Day, held by the Indonesian Embassy at the place of Parsian Azadi Hotel in Tehran on September 21,

Indonesian Ambassador to Tehran Ronny Prasetyo Yuliantoro said:

Over the years, Indonesia and Iran have shared deep-rooted historical and cultural ties that have evolved into a dynamic partnership encompassing various sectors such as trade, culture, education, and people-to-people exchanges.

Government-to-government cooperation remains an essential component of our bilateral relationship. We have actively engaged in diplomatic discussions to address various challenges and opportunities based on mutual respect and understanding.

The visit of President Ebrahim Raisi to Indonesia last May was a testament of the commitment of both countries to boost its current bilateral cooperation to a higher level.

The two leaders committed in enhancing bilateral cooperation especially in the fields of trade, health, science and technology.

I am pleased to convey that both sides are currently following up the commitment.

Another crucial area of cooperation that I also would like to note is between parliaments. In many years, our parliamentarians have engaged in fruitful exchanges, sharing legislative experiences and promoting dialogue on various issues of mutual interest.

The collaboration between our parliaments is a testament to the democratic principles that underpin our societies.

This cooperation not only strengthens our diplomatic ties but also ensures that the voices of our people are heard at the highest levels.

Also, in an interview conducted by the Tehran Times in last August, the envoy said that Iran can use Indonesia as a hub for marketing its products in the ASEAN countries.

“I think we [ASEAN member states and Iran] have some great potential that can be developed, for instant now with regard to the health field we can have some kind of cooperation, you know this is a time that we can increase cooperation in health sector”, he stated.

“So, this is a good time and then I believe that here is some potential that can be still developed between ASEA countries and Iran”, the ambassador reiterated.

Speaking about trade and economic ties between his country and Iran, the official said, “Of course there is a lot of potential between Indonesia and Iran especially in the economic relation now we increase our cooperation in health sector.”

And asked about the problems in the way of bilateral trade, he replied, “Of course the challenge is how to deal with the payment system between the two countries; we have to look for the way that can solve the problem of payment in the future.”

Meanwhile, in a meeting between board members of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) and Iran’s new Ambassador to Jakarta Mohammad Boroujerdi, at the place of ICCIMA in mid-August, the two sides discussed ways of increasing the level of trade between the two countries.

During the meeting, the ICCIMA proposed establishing a joint fund for facilitating barter trade between the private sectors of the two countries.

Speaking at the meeting, Boroujerdi proposed establishing an Iranian trade center or permanent exhibition in Jakarta to facilitate trade between the private sectors of the two countries.

Stating that Indonesia is the economic hub of East Asia, the envoy said: “Indonesia has a market of 300 million and is a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and can be the gateway for Iran's strong presence in this region.”

Referring to the targeting of $20 billion trade with Indonesia, Boroujerdi said: “To reach this target, we need the cooperation of the private sector and ICCIMA with the Iranian Embassy in Indonesia.”

EF/MA