REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesia and Malaysia discussed four main trade-related issues to enhance bilateral cooperation during their 12th annual consultation held in Kuching, capital of the Malaysian state of Sarawak, on November 20, Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita said.

The four issues are related to border trade agreement, normalization of exports and imports via Entikong-Tebedu, cooperation in halal products and cooperation in palm oil, he stated here, Friday.

"Trade is a crucial issue which is always discussed at every annual consultation between the leaders of the two states, because it plays an important role in promoting economic cooperation between Indonesia and Malaysia," he maintained.

Lukita accompanied President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) when he co-chaired the annual consultation with Malaysian Prime Minister Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak.

Regarding palm oil, the two leaders issued a firm joint statement related to the way in which partner countries discriminate against palm oil, Lukita remarked.

Both Jokowi and Najib agreed to cooperate while responding to the unfair treatment meted out to palm oil products, he revealed.

"They also responded to a report by the European Parliament about Resolution on Palm Oil and Deforestation of the Rainforest," he affirmed.

At the meeting, the two leaders agreed to encourage the conclusion of negotiations on the border trade agreement shortly after the two countries signed a border crossing agreement, which will determine a border cross point early next year, he mentioned.

"The border trade agreement will provide a legal umbrella and certainty for the two countries to conduct cross border trade. As such, people living near the border areas can meet their needs," he stressed.

Lukita observed that the normalization of trade in the Entikong-Tebedu gate had made progress, since he, along with Malaysia Dato' Sri Mustapa Mohamed, visited Entikong-Tebedu border cross checkpoint in July 2017.

With regard to halal products, the two ministers agreed to encourage the signing of a memorandum of understanding between halal authorities in the two countries after a meeting of Indonesia-Malaysia Joint Trade and Investment Committee (JTIC) in July 2017 in Kuching, Malaysia.

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