Indonesia Signs MoU On Capacity Development With Palestine

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar JAKARTA, Oct 25 (Bernama) -- Indonesia on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Palestine to continue its commitment to strengthen capacity building in establishing a food and medicine agency in the country. President Joko Widodo, better known as Jokowi, said several other programmes are also in plans including small and medium industries, e-commerce and disaster management. "In the last few years, Indonesia has provided training to more than 2,000 Palestinians," he said at a press conference with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh. The meeting was held at Bogor Palace in conjunction with the official maiden visit of Mohammad Shtayyeh, who has been appointed Prime Minister since 2019 to replace Rami Hamdallah. Jokowi said Indonesia is currently in the process of channeling aid through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI) will build an Indonesian hospital in the city of Hebron; and the exemption from import duties on Palestinian products will be expanded, compared to only dates and olives at present. Jokowi also called for unity among the people of the West Asian country to be increased, and stated that Indonesia is ready to be a mediator in the reconciliation process of the movement to achieve peace. Indonesia, the current holder of the Group of 20 (G20) presidency, will support the Palestinian independence struggle as well as (the opportunity for) its membership in the United Nations, said Jokowi. Mohammad Shtayyeh expressed appreciation at Indonesia's efforts and hopes that the country's commitment can be highlighted during the G20 summit in Bali next month. -- BERNAMA