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alaysia and Indonesia agreed to increase cooperation in all sectors, especially in trade, during their 12th bilateral consultations held in Kuching, Malaysia, on Wednesday.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, during a joint press conference with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, said figures that showed trade had increased more than 21 percent in the first half of 2017 showed that cooperation between the two countries was getting stronger.

He said Indonesia has also started exporting rice to Malaysia in October with a shipment of 25,000 tons. He added that the amount is expected to increase every year.

“Indonesia expects Malaysia can fill 20 percent of its rice import quota, about 150,000 tons, by importing it from Indonesia,” Jokowi said as quoted in a statement by the Presidential Office.

Jokowi added that the two countries, the world’s top producers of palm oil, had also previously engaged in new strategic cooperation by strengthening their partnership in the palm oil industry by establishing the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) in 2015.

“We have to unite in the fight against the black campaign against palm oil,” he said.

Another important issue discussed during the bilateral consultation was the protection of Indonesian citizens who live and work in Malaysia, that being a priority of the Indonesian government.

“I have also requested Prime Minister Najib’s attention on educational rights for children of Indonesian workers,” Jokowi said.

Border arrangements were discussed as well.

“Indonesia expects the draft of the border crossing agreement, which has been negotiated, to be signed soon, as well as the border trade agreement,” Jokowi said.

Meanwhile, Najib said that in addition to attending the annual consultation, Jokowi was also visiting Kuching to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Malaysian-Indonesian diplomatic relations.

“There is so much progress in political, economic, social, security and border cooperation,” the Malaysian leader said.

“It is the will of both governments to keep improving relations so that more opportunities and potential can be realized.”

Najib said he also appreciated Indonesia’s efforts to tackle the problem of smoky haze so that Malaysia no longer had to suffer from the pollution in the past two years.

“It was part of serious attention given by the Indonesian government to the haze problem, which has given relief to Malaysians, including those living in Sarawak,” he said.

Prior to the annual consultation, Najib hosted a limited meeting with Jokowi, who was accompanied by Coordinating Human and Culture Development Minister Puan Maharani, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Indonesian Ambassador in Malaysia Rusdi Kirana.

Jokowi was also accompanied by a number of other ministers during the annual consultation such as Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu, Justice and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly and Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukito.

After the meeting, Najib and Jokowi witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on Islamic higher education, which was signed by Retno and Malaysian Higher Education Minister Idris Jusoh.