Jakarta, The Indonesia Post – Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh hopes to increase cooperation with Indonesia, particularly in the fields of tourism and educational exchange.
“I hope we can work together on tourism. As many as 70,000 Indonesians visited Al Aqsa last year, and there is great potential to increase the number of pilgrims from Indonesia,” Shtayyeh said at a press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday.
He explained that Palestine is one of the historical places and is known as the Holy Land, because it is the place where the Prophet Muhammad ascended to the sky, also the place where Jesus Christ was born.
Given its important and historic position, Shtayyeh hopes Palestine can attract more Indonesian tourists to visit.
While in the field of education, he welcomed Indonesia’s efforts to help provide capacity training for Palestinians in various sectors, including animal husbandry.
Shtayyeh also welcomed the trade cooperation with Indonesia which allows Palestinian products to enter Indonesia, especially olive oil and dates, which are the country’s main commodities.
Furthermore, he was grateful for the construction of Indonesian hospitals in Gaza and Hebron.
“Commemorating 33 years of bilateral relations between Palestine and Indonesia, we are proud that these relations are going very well and things are moving forward,” said Shtayyeh.
PM Shtayyeh completed a two-day state visit to Jakarta on Tuesday.
During his visit, he met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo to discuss a number of issues of mutual concern, and witnessed the signing of several cooperation agreements between the two countries. (mhn/bbs)
Comment