JAKARTA. Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and her New Zealander counterpart Murray McCully have agreed to enhance the two countries’ relationship in many sectors including agriculture, trade, investment and defense.

The agreements were reached when the two concluded the 7th Indonesia-New Zealand Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) in Auckland on Tuesday.

In the agriculture sector, Retno and McCully agreed to increase Indonesian exports of fresh fruits, such as mangosteen, salak and mango, while at the same time working to improve the breeding of New Zealand cattle.

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On the sidelines of her visit to New Zealand, Retno visited Whenuanui Farm, a noted cattle farm in Auckland, and talked to the owners of the farm.

“Agricultural cooperation will be mutually beneficial. It will also benefit Indonesian farmers, breeders and consumers,” said Retno according to a statement released by Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday.

With respect to people-to-people connections, both ministers agreed to provide more opportunities for Indonesian professionals to work in New Zealand. New Zealand is already home to hundreds of Indonesian workers, such as chefs and professionals in the energy sector.

Retno and McCully also agreed to boost bilateral trade to Rp 40 trillion (US$3.08 billion) by 2024. Cooperation in the geothermal sector was also highlighted during their discussions and they agreed to accelerate current projects, according to the release.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister, John Key, is scheduled to visit Indonesia this year. His last visit was in Oct. 2013 when he attended the APEC Summit in Bali.

Retno also extended an invitation from the Indonesian government to the New Zealand government to attend the 60th commemoration of the Asia-Africa Conference in Bandung this April.

During her visit, Retno gave a general lecture at the University of Auckland as part of the 40th anniversary of ASEAN-New Zealand relations. (Bagus BT Saragih)