Jordan, Indonesia set to expand bilateral ties

AMMAN — Jordan seeks to attract more religious tourists and students from Indonesia, while Jakarta wants to benefit from Jordan’s strategic location to ensure itself trade access into the region.

During a meeting in Amman on Sunday between Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour and Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and an accompanying delegation, the two sides discussed other aspects of cooperation, along with regional issues and the Middle East peace process, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

During the meeting, attended by Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications Mohammad Momani and Jordan Phosphate Mines Company Chairman Amer Majali, Ensour commended the fact that the foreign minister of a key Islamic country like Indonesia is a woman. 

The premier highlighted the good bilateral relations and voiced interest to enhance them, noting that the most important commercial ties rely on Indonesia’s purchases of fertilisers and phosphate from Jordan. 

He said tourism between the two countries could be enhanced since Jordan houses several shrines of Prophet Mohammad’s companions, noting  that it is also possible to facilitate for Indonesian pilgrims visits to Jerusalem.

He also urged Indonesian students to come and study Arabic and Sharia (Islamic law) in Jordan.

For her part, Marsudi said that her country plans to take advantage of Jordan’s status as a gateway to the region to access targeted markets for Indonesian products.

She also voiced interest in opening an honorary consulate for Indonesia in Aqaba, Jordan’s sole port city and special economic zone. 

On the region,  Marsudi  commended Jordan’s support of the Palestinian cause.

In a related development, the Council of Ministers approved an agreement between Jordan and Indonesia to exempt holders of diplomatic and high-ranking public servants’ passports from the visa requirement. 

Those eligible to benefit from the waiver can stay in the country for no more than 30 days since the date of each entry.