Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL) – The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, Retno Marsudi, has extended an invitation to the Gambian government to attend the second Indonesia-Africa Forum, set to take place on September 3-4, 2024, in Bali. The invitation was made during a meeting on the sidelines of the 15th Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Summit held in Banjul, Gambia, on May 4-5, 2024.

According to a press statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Retno Marsudi met with Gambian Foreign Minister Mamadou Tangara and paid a courtesy visit to Gambian President Adama Barrow to discuss ways to enhance economic cooperation between the two countries.

In 2023, Indonesia’s trade with Gambia amounted to US$64.2 million, with a surplus of US$56.2 million, representing a significant increase compared to 2022, which saw a total trade value of US$47.2 million and a surplus of US$47.2 million.

During their meeting on the sidelines of the OIC Summit, Minister Retno and the Gambian Foreign Minister signed a Visa Free Agreement for Diplomatic and Service Passport Holders. The Gambian government also expressed appreciation for Indonesia’s commitment to restoring the Agricultural Rural Farmer Training Center (ARFTC) in Jenoi, Gambia.

Established in 1998 through collaboration between the governments of Gambia, Indonesia, and the Food Agriculture Organization (FAO), the 6.6-hectare ARFTC was developed to help increase food productivity in Gambia and other West African countries.

Minister Retno also held discussions with foreign ministers from several other countries, including Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, Bangladesh, Morocco, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam. The meetings, according to Minister Retno, primarily focused on the matter of Palestine.

In addition to the foreign ministers, Minister Retno also met with other officials, including the Secretary General of the OIC, the former Palestinian Foreign Minister who now serves as an advisor to the president, and the Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda.