Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi is expected to visit Jordan on March 12-13 in an effort to enhance bilateral relations between the two countries, a spokesman stated.

"It was planned that Minister Marsudi will be in Jordan on March 12-13 to meet her Jordanian counterpart and to pay a courtesy call on Jordans prime minister," according to spokesman of the countrys Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Nasir here on Thursday.

Nasir noted that Minister Marsudis visit was aimed at intensifying economic cooperation, particularly in the fields of trade and investment.

The trade value between Indonesia and Jordan in 2015 reached US$256 million, with Jordan enjoying a surplus.

Indonesia mainly imported phosphate fertilizers from Jordan, while the countrys key export commodities to Jordan were crude palm oil (CPO), coffee, pepper, fishery products, furniture, glass, and ceramic products, among others.

"Indeed, we are now experiencing a slight deficit of some US$60 million. To pursue an economic balance, we not only need to raise exports but also hope that Jordan would increase its investment in Indonesia," the spokesman noted.

Nasir further pointed out that the value of Jordanian investment in Indonesia in 2013 reached US$3.1 million.

"Jordan, through a joint venture project with Indonesia, will also build a fertilizer plant in the country," the spokesman explained.

In addition, during her meeting with the Jordanian foreign minister, Marsudi will discuss ways to enhance education cooperation between the two countries, Nasir added.

*Antara News