Indonesia and Morocco signed on Monday memorandums of understanding (MoUs), including on counterterror and economic cooperation, paving the way for a stronger bilateral relationship ahead of the commemoration of 60 years of diplomatic ties in 2020.

The first of four agreements, signed by National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) head Suhardi Alius and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, sets up joint efforts between the BNPT and Morocco’s Interior Ministry.

“In regard to addressing challenges in global terrorism and radicalization [...] as Muslim-majority countries, we [Indonesia and Morocco] are committed to showing [the world] a moderate and tolerant Islam,” Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi told journalists in a joint press conference after closed-door talks with Minister Bourita at the ministry complex in Jakarta.

According to a briefing document made available to The Jakarta Post, the scope of the five-year cooperation not only includes the exchange of knowledge and best practices but also the sharing of intelligence regarding terrorism financing and the cross-border movement of foreign terrorist fighters. The cooperation framework also focuses on improving law enforcement, as well as officials and experts training.

Another agreement sees both sides working together on the exchange of financial intelligence in money laundering and terrorism financing. It was signed by Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) head Kiagus Ahmad Badaruddin and Moroccan Ambassador to Indonesia Ouadia Benabdellah, and will be carried out by the PPATK and Morocco’s Financial Information Processing Unit (UTRF).

The financial intelligence agreement, although a first between the two countries, follows in the footsteps of other similar arrangements that Indonesia had set up with other partner countries.

Since 2016, for instance, Indonesia has been partnering with the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Center, a year after the PPATK claimed it had frozen as many as 20 bank accounts, containing billions of rupiah, which belonged to al-Qaeda and Taliban-affiliated terrorist groups operating in Indonesia.

Last year, Bank Indonesia and the Philippines’ central bank, Bangko Sentral Ng Pilipinas (BSP), inked a deal on the prevention of money laundering and terrorism financing.

During Monday’s talks, Indonesia also iterated its stance on a number of regional issues that involves Morocco, which sits at the northwestern tip of Africa. Retno said, for example, that Indonesia woulf continue promoting dialogue and a peaceful approach as it relates to the prolonged conflict between Morocco and those in the Western Sahara.

“We appreciate Indonesia’s stance on the issue,” Bourita said, adding that Morocco would continue supporting Indonesia’s sovereignty and unity at international forums.

To fortify their countries’ economic partnership, Minister Retno and Minister Bourita also signed an MoU on industrial cooperation, which is to be carried out by Indonesia’s Industry Ministry and Morocco’s Industry, Investment, Trade and Digital Economy Ministry.

Bourita also signed an agreement on maritime cooperation with Indonesia’s newly appointed maritime affairs and fisheries minister, Edhy Prabowo.

Furthermore, Retno urged the partners to double down on plans to boost a preferential trade agreement, saying she hoped to see the lifting of tariff barriers by the end of the year.

Indonesia was ready to expand its imports portfolio with Morocco on commodities such as textiles, rubber, electronics and furniture, she said, fulfilling demand in a lucrative market.

“I also expressed our readiness to supply our palm oil and coffee products to meet Morocco’s domestic demand,” Retno said.

On the topic of the halal industry, which has seen “amazing” growth in recent years, Indonesia invited Morocco to take part in a halal products summit to be held in Indonesia next year.

Acknowledging Indonesia’s renewed emphasis on economic diplomacy, Bourita said Monday's agreements signify the countries' strong historical ties. “Political channels are not enough and must be expanded to more concrete sectors,” Bourita said.

Jakarta has touted economic diplomacy as a tool for circumnavigating the pressures of a ruinous trade war between the United States and China.

To this end, the government has attempted to expand its exports to nontraditional markets including Africa, by hosting high-profile events such as the Indonesia-Africa Infrastructure Dialogue. (tjs)

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