PHNOM PENH: In recognizing the importance of food security for the two countries and the region, Indonesia expressed its intention to import rice from Cambodia and export fertilizers to Cambodia through both government-to-government and business-to-business agreement frameworks.

The intention was raised by H.E. Pahala Nugraha Mansury, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, during a meeting here on Aug. 15 with H.E. Dr. Soeung Rathchavy, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC).

According to an MFAIC press release, the two sides expressed satisfaction with the progress in bilateral relations which have grown from strength to strength in multifaceted areas, and agreed to further enhance cooperation in key areas including political security, trade, tourism, education, health, and agriculture.

The Cambodian side expressed high appreciation to Indonesia for its assistance in human resource development and welcomed Indonesia's willingness to provide capacity building in the area related to agriculture such as irrigation system management and fisheries, including aquaculture.

H.E. Pahala Nugraha Mansury warmly congratulated Cambodia on the success of the General Election and expressed full support of the Indonesian Government to continue working closely with the Royal Government of Cambodia under the new mandate.

Both sides also discussed the preparations for the upcoming Meeting between H.E. Kitti Tesaphibal Bindit Hun Manet, incoming Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and President Joko Widodo on the sidelines of the 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Jakarta and the 5th Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) between Cambodia and Indonesia in the fourth quarter of 2023.