Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister Pushes for Complementary Economic Ties with Kazakhstan

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Anis Matta emphasized the importance of a mutually complementary economic approach between Indonesia and Kazakhstan. He said this when he made a working visit to Kazakhstan and held a series of meetings with local authorities from June 27 to July 1. The series of meetings was with Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev, Deputy Foreign Minister Alibek Bakayev, Grand Mufti of Kazakhstan to the Secretary General of CICA (The Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia) and IOFS (Islamic Organization for Food Security). The meeting with Foreign Minister Kosherbayev and Deputy Foreign Minister Bakayev discussed strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, which include political, economic, social and cultural cooperation, as well as exchanging views on the development of the regional situation. During the meeting, special attention was given to the opportunity to increase economic relations, including discussion of Indonesia-Kazakstan trade lanes and corridors. Both parties assessed that trade connectivity is one of the important factors in encouraging the flow of goods, investment, and wider economic interactions. Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs M. Anis Matta emphasized the importance of a complementary economic approach in looking at the economic relationship between the two countries. According to him, economic cooperation is not enough to be directed at increasing the volume of trade in general, but it needs to be built based on mapping sectors that complement each other and provide added value for both parties, launching a statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wednesday (1/7). The increase in trade is also expected to receive a significant boost after all member countries of the Indonesia-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement (Indonesia-EAEU Free Trade Agreement) complete the ratification process of the agreement which was signed in December 2025. In addition, the strengthening of people-to-people relations is also being carried out, including through exploring visa facilitation for visits and direct flights between Indonesia and Kazakhstan, as well as collaboration in the creative industry sector. Both parties also exchanged views on various developments in the regional situation and emphasized the importance of resolution through intensive dialogue efforts. Meanwhile, in a meeting with the Grand Mufti of Kazakhstan, Nauryzbai Kazhy Taganuly in Almaty City, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Anis discussed cooperation on Halal certification to improve economic relations between the two countries. Meanwhile, during a meeting with CICA Secretary-General Kairat Sarybay and IOFS Director General Berik Aryn, global food security and the important role of Indonesian-Kazakh cooperation in promoting global peace and stability were discussed.