As bilateral trade figures increase, Indonesia is interested in expanding cooperation with the Cuban tobacco industry within the framework of the economic relationship between both nations, as stated by the director of American Affairs of the Foreign Ministry of the Asian country, Darianto Harsono.
“We will support cooperation with foreign governments, particularly in cooperation with Cuba in the matter of cigars,” Harson noted at the opening ceremony of Indonesian Jember Cigar City Festival (JKCI), quoted by the news agency Antara.
Corporación Habanos SA set a record for the sale of Premium cigars in 2021
The official also praised the initiative of the Jember District, East Java, to organize the fourth edition of the cigar festival attended by representatives of the embassies of Cuba, Argentina, the Czech Republic and Nigeria, as well as customers from Malaysia and France.
In addition to being known as the city of tobacco, Jember is the region that produces the best coffee in the country.
Indonesia sells textiles, shoes and footwear, ceramics, furniture and electronic products to Cuba, while it buys Cuban cigars and pharmaceutical products, especially vaccines, according to several press sources.
Cuba and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1960. During the administration of Indonesia’s first president, Sukarno, in the 1960s, the two nations developed a very close relationship. Both are full members of the Non-Aligned Movement and partners in the Group of 77 and the East Asia-Latin America Cooperation Forum.
Last April, the Indonesian ambassador to Cuba, Nana Yuliana, met with the Cuban Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, “to discuss efforts to increase bilateral cooperation between the two nations.”
In a friendly exchange held today with the Indonesian ambassador to Cuba, Nana Yuliana, we agree on the existing potential to develop bilateral relations, as well as in the context of ASEAN. pic.twitter.com/jZLMVCqPFy
– Bruno Rodríguez P (@BrunoRguezP) April 8, 2022
In a statement issued by the Embassy, regarding that meeting, they pointed out that in the last two years, bilateral political ties have been strengthened, since the two countries remain committed to supporting each other in various nominations in international organizations.
“Cuba is one of Indonesia’s important trading partners in the Caribbean region,” the statement said. In 2021, the total trade between Indonesia and Cuba increased to US$13.28 million, or 140.52%, compared to 2020, according to antara.
Regarding the strengthening of relations between the peoples of Cuba and Indonesia, the Embassy in Havana has focused on cultural promotion activities, such as weaving exhibitions, photographic exhibitions for the 62nd anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, delivery donations to two Indonesian schools in the country and establishment of relations with the Muslim community in Cuba.
Regarding the protection of Indonesians in Cuba, Ambassador Yuliana pointed out that the majority of Indonesian citizens in Cuba are missionaries who provide services to the Cuban community and students who receive medical scholarships.
For his part, Foreign Minister Rodríguez Parrilla praised bilateral relations and the coincidence of positions on international issues, in addition to mentioning that cooperation was more intense during the COVID-19 pandemic with greater collaboration on vaccines.
Both officials also discussed visa exemptions for holders of diplomatic and service passports and the establishment of the Committee of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Cuba, the source recalls..
