U.S and Indonesia Hold Dialogue Recommending Export Control System in Indonesia

Jakarta: The United States and Indonesia held their inaugural Senior Official Dialogue (SOD) on Strategic Trade Management (STM) today in Jakarta.

The event was jointly inaugurated by Chargé d'Affaires (CDA) at the U.S. Mission to Indonesia Heather C. Merritt, Deputy Minister Edi Pambudi from Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs (CMEA), and Deputy Minister Mohammad Koba from the Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs.  

This event facilitated dialogue and produced recommendations that will contribute to the development of an export control system in Indonesia. Through the U.S. Embassy’s Export Control and Border Security (EXBS) program, the United States is committed to supporting Indonesia’s implementation of STM, making both countries and the broader region safer, stronger, and more prosperous.

“The United States is proud to support Indonesia’s effort to establish a comprehensive export control system,” said CDA Merritt in her opening remarks, quoted from U.S Embassy statement.

“Strategic Trade Management will boost Indonesia’s economy and promote a safe and prosperous trade environment for the United States and Indonesia,” CDA Merritt added.

While CMEA Deputy Minister Edi Pambudi said that Indonesia and the United States mutually recognize the importance of STM as a crucial aspect of economic security.

"Developing STM will enhance Indonesia's reputation as a trusted trading partner, thereby enabling a secure trading environment and fulfilling our UN obligations to mitigate the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD),” Edi Pambudi said.

The EXBS program, under the Export Control Cooperation Office of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, seeks to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, destabilizing and irresponsible transfers of conventional arms, and illegal exports of strategic goods by building an effective national strategic trade control system worldwide.