Jakarta. Palestine is seeking to step up bilateral trade with Indonesia, which has been a staunch supporter in its fight against Israeli occupation.

Riyad Al-Maliki, the special adviser to the Palestinian president, is currently in Jakarta for some talks with the Indonesian government. Al-Maliki thanked Indonesia for its unwavering support, expressing confidence that Jakarta’s pro-Palestine stance will remain unchanged under President-Elect Prabowo Subianto’s upcoming leadership. 

“Indonesia -- with its cultural heritage, dynamic economy and strategic significance in the international area -- has always been a strategic partner and a valued friend to the State of Palestine,” Al-Maliki said when addressing a Foreign Affairs Ministry event in Jakarta on Monday.

Speaking to the press not long after his speech, Al-Maliki revealed Palestine’s intentions for greater trade with Indonesia. Both countries have had talks in the past about what they could do to boost relations -including trade. Trade will likely remain on the agenda in Palestine’s upcoming meetings with the Indonesian government.

“So obviously, this afternoon, we will meet and review everything, including trade in particular. This [trade] is going to be an important aspect for us,” Al-Maliki told the press.

Government data showed that Indonesia-Palestine trade doubled from $2.1 million in 2022 to $4.3 million the following year. Trade numbers reached $2.3 million in the first half of 2024. But both countries were trading less compared to the same six-month period of 2023 during which trade hit $2.8 million.

The figures were also far lackluster compared to how much Indonesia traded with Israel. 

In 2023, Indonesia-Israel trade hit $187.7 million, down from $233 million recorded the previous year but still far outperformed that of Palestine. Trade between Indonesia and Israel also went up from $89.4 million throughout January-June 2023 to $120.3 million the same period the following year.

Earlier that day, Al-Maliki awarded President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo the “Grand Collar Order of the State of Palestine”. This is the highest order that the Palestinian government gives to foreign dignitaries. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had received the same award.