Foreign Minister DR AK Abdul Momen discussed the issue when Indonesian Ambassador to Bangladesh  Rina Prihtyasmiarsi Soemarno met him at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday.

Dr Momen suggested that an Asean-led observer team may be deployed in Rakhine State to oversee the repatriation process. 

The Ambassador assured to remain engaged on the issue and continue Indonesia’s support for a durable solution to the crisis, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Foreign Minister thanked Indonesia for the humanitarian support extended to the Rohingyas and sought political support from Indonesia on the repatriation issue.

Dr Momen invited Indonesia’s Prime Minister and President to visit Bangladesh this year to celebrate the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The Ambassador also invited Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to visit Indonesia.

Terming Indonesia as Bangladesh’s important bilateral trading partner, Dr Momen suggested that the imbalance in trade could be reduced if Indonesia invests in Bangladesh where a business friendly environment is prevailing.

He mentioned that the purchasing power of Bangladesh’s growing middle class has enhanced significantly in recent decades and also Bangladesh is surrounded by two giant economies of India and China.

The Indonesian Ambassador agreed that Bangladesh has attained “miraculous” economic progress and appreciated the Bangladeshi technicians and professionals who work in the IT sector in Indonesia.

She hoped that Bangladesh would invest more in garments and processed food sector in Indonesia.

The Bangladesh Foreign Minister noted that Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical products meet 97 percent of local demands and are exported to 144 countries.

He requested Indonesia to ease the registration process for Bangladeshi pharmaceutical products in Indonesia.

He noted that world class life saving drugs are available in Bangladesh at a much cheaper price than in the advanced countries.