Jakarta. President Prabowo Subianto officially welcomed 12 new ambassadors to Indonesia as the senior diplomats handed their so-called letters of credence.

This is a diplomatic note that informs the head of state that their respective governments have appointed them as their ambassadors. The ceremony took place at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta. 

The list of the freshly appointed ambassadors included Indonesia’s key economic partner, Germany. Indonesia-Germany trade totaled $4.7 billion between January and September, government data showed. Berlin also assumes the co-leadership of the global climate financing Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) for Indonesia. Ralf Beste, who once assumed an ambassadorial post in Austria, officially represented the German diplomatic mission in Indonesia.

Kuwait's ambassador Khalid Jassim Alyassin said that he looked forward to beefing up his country’s investment ties with Indonesia. 

"We are looking forward to strengthening the existing relationship and elevating it to a higher level, especially in the fields of investment, trade, economy, clean energy, and food security," he said.

He also called Indonesia an “important player” in global affairs, citing Jakarta’s membership in G20, ASEAN, and even the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Kuwait, too, is an OIC member. Indonesia’s bilateral trade with Kuwait amounted to $455.4 million so far this year as of September.

Likewise, Pakistani ambassador Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri expressed interest in greater defense and trade relations. He added: “But most importantly, to further strengthen people-to-people contacts. The relations between our two peoples existed even before Pakistan and Indonesia came into being."

The following is the full list of the 12 ambassadors:

1. Barbara Szymanowska (Poland)

2. Khalid Jassim Alyassin (Kuwait)

3. Gladys Kamia Isihanua (Solomon Islands)

4.  Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri (Pakistan)

5.  Sharon Ann Lennon (Ireland)

6. Tornike Nozadze (Georgia)

7. Bernardo de Sicard Escoda (Spain)

8. Salem Ahmed Balfakeeh (Yemen)

9. Fransisco de la Torre Galindo (Mexico)

10. Ralf Beste (Germany)

11. Patrick Hemmer (Luxembourg)

12. Muhammetnyyas Mashalov (Turkmenistan)