The United States and Indonesia conducted their first Senior Official Dialogue on Strategic Trade Management in Jakarta. The event was inaugurated by Heather C. Merritt, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Mission to Indonesia, along with Edi Pambudi, Deputy Minister from Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs, and Mohammad Koba, Deputy Minister from the Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs.
This dialogue aimed to foster discussions and create recommendations to aid in developing an export control system in Indonesia. The U.S. Embassy's Export Control and Border Security program supports this initiative, contributing to safer and more prosperous conditions for both nations and the region.
“The United States is proud to support Indonesia’s effort to establish a comprehensive export control system,” stated CDA Merritt during her opening remarks. “Strategic Trade Management will boost Indonesia’s economy and promote a safe and prosperous trade environment for the United States and Indonesia.”
Deputy Minister Edi Pambudi emphasized the mutual recognition of STM's importance for economic security between both countries: “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).”
The EXBS program under the U.S. State Department aims to prevent WMD proliferation, irresponsible arms transfers, and illegal strategic goods exports by establishing effective national strategic trade control systems globally.