Iranian Minister To Discuss Crude Oil Trade With Indonesian VP

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Iranian Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Ali Taiebnia will deliver his country's initiatives to expand crude oil trade with Indonesia during a meeting with Vice President Jusuf Kalla on Thursday (May 19).

"We want to expand economic ties with Indonesia in which the keys are laid on two things. First is to hold  a banking relationship with Indonesia and second is to start trading crude oil to the country in which those things will give progress on bilateral economic trade," the minister said here on Wednesday.

The minister hoped Indonesia and Iran will strengthen bilateral ties to maintain economic development in both countries.    

"Yesterday, I met Indonesian Finance Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro, and I have an opportunity to meet the Indonesian vice president tomorrow to discuss anything that can expand bilateral ties between the two big countries; Indonesia and Iran," he stated.

The Iranian minister is in Jakarta to attend the 41st Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) from May May 15-19.

Vice President Jusuf Kalla officially opened the meeting on May 17.

"The 57 members of the IDB are facing a lot of challenges, but there are hopes and opportunities that member countries will progress and grow. I am convinced the meeting this time will produce positive results," he said in his speech.

Indonesia and IDB have been able to complete the first phase of the Country Partnership Strategy cooperation program from 2011 to 2014 and have successfully funded important areas of development, including infrastructure and private sector. (WDY)