Being such an essential partner occurred even after the global pandemic as witnessed not only in the unfaltering government to government engagement, but also business to business and most importantly people to people level.

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Iran is an essential partner to Indonesia as after more than 72 years, bilateral relations continue to grow closer and stronger, Indonesian Minister of Health Budi Gunawan Sadikin has said.

Being such an essential partner occurred even after the global pandemic as witnessed not only in the unfaltering government to government engagement, but also business to business and most importantly people to people level, the minister made the remarks on the occasion of the 44^th Anniversary of the Victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran on Friday evening (Feb. 10).

The signing of the Indonesia-Iran preferential trade agreement is just around the corner and it would increase the trade flow between the two countries, Budi said, believing that there are many areas for cooperation that can be explored to enhance the bilateral trade.

“I am particularly very pleased with the two ongoing cooperation with our Iranian partner in the health sector, in my sector. The first is in the field of telemedicine. The project is currently being implemented in our state healthcare institutions in four provinces in Indonesia,” he noted.

According to him, it is very relevant for the archipelagic countries including Indonesia, and he looks forward to expanding the use of the technology to other provinces and hopes to broaden the bilateral cooperation not only in investment but also local manufacturing, not only for domestic but also for regional and global markets.

The second is on the robotic tele-surgery center, a multi stakeholder project under Indonesia’s Ministry of Health involving Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital in Bandung (West Java province) and Dr. Sardjito General Hospital in Yogyakarta province as well as other private sector hospitals.

This project is part of the ministry’s system transformation program, he said, adding that these collaborations are testament of the powers of the Iranian technology which Indonesia can benefit from.

“The potential for the collaborations for joint productions and the transfer of technology in the field of pharmacy and medical devices will undoubtedly support our goals in advancing local contents and productions,” he explained.

The minister was happy to say that Indonesia and Iran are at the level of friendship that they can openly and candidly discuss sensitive issues to several bilateral mechanisms on forums such as bilateral dialogs on human rights and bilateral dialogs on women and children.

“We look forward to continuing this engagement and expanding cooperation across our sector,” the minister said.

Reporting by Indonesia Window