Jakarta, April 14 (Antara) - Indonesia is aggressively expanding its trade overseas in the face of heavy challenges in international trade this year.
According to Ari Satria, secretary of the National Export Development Directorate General, Indonesia this year is facing heavy challenges with regards to its economic growth, export performance and policies of other countries against Indonesia.
"Economic growth of Indonesia over the past several years has relatively slowed down. We hope to increase it this year with a growth projection of between 5.1 percent and 5.3 percent," Ari told ASEAN Business Talks in Jakarta on Thursday.
Apart from the economic growth projection, the Trade Ministry also set a target for an increase in exports by 5.63 percent for non-oil and non-gas products. Market share for Indonesian products also expanded to Africa, particularly South Africa and other countries, such as Pakistan and Russia.
In African countries, especially in South Africa, Indonesia saw considerable potential and established cooperation through bilateral Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). Efforts to expand trade were also made through the Indonesian Trade Promotion Center (ITPC) instrument, such as in Johannesburg.
Indonesia is now encouraging the promotion of products in South Africa, particularly in the trade, tourism and investment sectors being carried out on an integrated basis.
Head of the ITPC Johannesburg, Pontas Parsaroan said integrated promotion in the trade, tourism and investment is being held to show the comprehensive potential of Indonesia. The promotion was launched in the Business Forum and In-Store Promotion program.
The Business Forum and In-Store Promotion was organized in cooperation between the ITPC Johannesburg and the Indonesian Consulate General (KJRI0 in Cape Town.
Indonesian Ambassador to Pretoria, Suprapto Martosetomo, explained the progress of Indonesia-South Africa bilateral relations and matters, which have become the focus of Indonesia¿s economic policies.
Indonesia recorded a surplus of US$437 million in its trade with South Africa in 2016, up slightly by 0.68 percent, compared with $343 million in 2015. Its exports to the country stood at $728 million in 2016, up 9.32 percent from $666 million in 2015. Imports from South Africa in 2016 were pegged at $291 million, up 25.6 percent from that in 2015.
Besides African countries, Indonesia also is also expanding trade in other countries, including Pakistan and Russia.
The Indonesian Consulate General (KJRI) in Karachi, for instance, has managed to realize a coal trade agreement on 50 thousand tons, worth US$5 million, between the Indonesian company PT Wira Yudha and Pakistan company Techno World Instrument Service.
"The first shipment of 50 thousand tons of coal, with a value of $5million, will be made in the near future," Indonesia's Consul General for Karachi, Dempo Awang Yuddie, stated on Tuesday (April 11).
According to data from the Central Statistics Agency, Indonesia's coal exports are mainly targeted to Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, India, United States, Netherlands, Italy, and Spain.
Pakistan has not been included in the main destination countries of Indonesia's coal export. But, the cement industry in Pakistan highly requires coal. "Indonesia's coal will enter the Pakistan market in the next five years in line with the technological development in the cement industry," Yuddie stated.
The export value of Indonesia's coal to Pakistan in 2014 reached $89 million and $97 million in 2015.The consul general remarked that Pakistan needed coal as an alternative for its power plants.
"Therefore, the Indonesian coal exporters are expected to expand their business into Pakistan," he pointed out.
In the meantime, Indonesian Embassy in Moscow said Indonesia and Russia have agreed to increase trade and expand partnership. The two countries reached the agreement during their second bilateral consultation meeting held in Moscow last Friday (April 7).
The Indonesian delegation to the meeting was led by Director General for American and European Affairs of the Foreign Ministry, Muhammad Anshor, while the Russian delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Igor V. Morgulov.
At the meeting, the delegations of the two countries discussed a wide range of issues of common concern, including preparations for the Russian foreign minister's planned visit to Indonesia this year.
In the economic field, the two nations made use of the bilateral consultation to boost bilateral trade; expand the access of Indonesian products and services to the Russian market; open Jakarta-Moscow direct flight route; enhance cooperation in the fisheries, maritime and agricultural sectors; and attract Russian investment to Indonesia.
Russia is a gateway for Indonesian products to the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) zone, which comprises of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan. "Russia is the largest non-traditional market for Indonesian products and services in Central and East Europe.
Russia is one of Indonesia's important trade partners. In 2016, trade between Indonesia and Russia reached US$2.11 billion, with Indonesia enjoying a surplus of $400 million. The trade value represents a significant increase compared to $1.1 billion in 2015.
It is necessary for Indonesia to expand trade in order to restore its economic performance.
According to Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati, international trade was necessary for every country to restore its economic performances in the face of global uncertainty.
"International trade is still an important issue to foster economic recovery," the minister noted last month (March 22) while responding to the disagreements regarding international trade at the G-20 in Germany.
The minister added that finance ministers from G-20 member countries of Europe, Asia, and Latin America have realized the adverse effects of protectionism. She hoped that international trade commitments could be agreed at a meeting of the G-20 leaders, because of the importance of cooperation to enhance global economy.
The minister remarked that at the G-20 leaders-level meeting, Indonesia will emphasize the importance of international economic policy for the export sector as it is one of the contributors to national economic growth.
"Indonesia is an open country, and its exports have become a source of its economic growth. We expect the international trade to remain open and for Indonesia to conduct trade based on our competition level," she asserted. ***3***
(A014/INE/B003)EDITED BY INE(T.A014/A/BESSR/Bustanuddin) 14-04-2017 21:05: |
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