Indonesia and Eswatini Sign Visa-Free Agreement for Diplomatic and Official Passport Holders

Nusa Dua, The Gulf Observer: Indonesia and the Kingdom of Eswatini have officially signed a visa-free agreement for holders of diplomatic and official passports (PBVDD) during the Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) held from September 1-3, 2024, in Nusa Dua, Bali. The signing was confirmed by the Indonesian Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, in a press release.

Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi and Eswatini Foreign Minister Pholile Shakantu formalized the agreement as part of a series of events at the IAF. The new agreement aims to enhance bilateral relations, particularly facilitating easier diplomatic and governmental exchanges between the two nations.

Minister Marsudi expressed optimism that the visa-free agreement would boost the frequency of official visits between the two countries, further strengthening diplomatic cooperation. Minister Shakantu echoed this sentiment, highlighting that the agreement would serve as a foundation for expanding relations in various fields, building on the diplomatic ties established between Indonesia and Eswatini in 1991.

Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, is a landlocked country in southern Africa, governed by an absolute monarchy and home to a population of 1.2 million. It is one of the four countries accredited to the Indonesian Embassy in Pretoria, alongside South Africa, Botswana, and Lesotho.

The 2nd Indonesia-Africa Forum aimed to foster development cooperation between Indonesia and African nations. Indonesia secured several major agreements at the forum, including four business deals in strategic industries, nine in the health sector, and six in the renewable energy sector, amounting to over USD 3.5 billion in total value, a significant increase from the USD 586 million recorded in 2018.

Held alongside the High-Level Forum on Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships, the IAF provided a platform for Indonesia and African countries to deepen their collaborative efforts across multiple sectors.