Jakarta, April 16 (Antara) - In its efforts to build economic ties and enhance trade cooperation with African countries, Indonesia hosted a two-day Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) to bring nations in the continent closer to trade and economic cooperation.
Held on April 10-11, the forum facilitated a total trade agreement potential of US$2.3 billion. On the first day of the forum (April 10), as many as 10 trade agreements valued at $586.56 million were signed while on the second day it managed to record additional trade transactions worth nearly US$500 million.
"This is a remarkable (achievement) that has been recorded in a short period of time," Indonesian Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita noted in a joint statement with Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on the sidelines of the IAF in Bali on Wednesday (April 11).
The IAF also concluded the announcement of business plans from 11 Indonesian companies, with a potential trade value of $1.3 billion.
The Indonesian government is targeting preferential trade agreement (PTA) with a number of African countries to be completed this year, in order to streamline the flow of goods and services of both sides.
Trade Minister Lukita held bilateral meetings with a number of countries' representatives during the Indonesia-Africa Forum, including those from Nigeria, Morocco and Somalia, in order to optimize discussions on tariffs reduction.
He also received a positive response from Mozambique regarding the PTA by the end of May-June 2018, which will be followed by the upcoming arrival of Mozambique business delegation to Indonesia.
"(The PTA is) not only for export but also for investment. For us, it encourages investment in Africa, because there is enough potential to be developed," Lukita stated, on the sidelines of the IAF in Bali, on Wednesday (April 11).
The Trade Ministry lauded the initiative of the Foreign Affairs Ministry to promote trade and investment cooperation through promotions carried out by Indonesian ambassadors assigned in African countries, as they become leaders in bilateral negotiations.
"This is a tremendous breakthrough for PTA. If it can be done quickly, it will be remarkable," Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi revealed.
The trade value between Indonesia and African countries in 2017 amounted to about US$8 billion, or an increase of about 15 percent compared to 2016.
Although the trade value is not too big, the trade growth is significant, and there is still plenty of room for improvements for further economic cooperation.
Minister Lukita has earlier held a bilateral meeting with Morocco's Deputy Foreign Minister Mounia Boucetta. At the meeting, Boucetta represented Morocco expressing its support for the PTA plan proposed by Indonesia.
Morocco is one of the non-traditional export markets that is also a hub for Indonesia's product exports to the African market. The total value of Indonesia-Morocco trade in 2017 reached $154.8 million. The value of Indonesia's exports to Morocco reached $86 million, while its imports from the North African country were valued at $68.8 million.
Likewise, Indonesia and Somalia have also agreed to intensify trade ties during a bilateral meeting between Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Somalian Vice Foreign Minister Mukhtar Mahat Da'ud.
Marsudi remarked that Indonesia-Somalia trade had reached US$76 million per year and had recorded the highest jump of 80 percent in 2017. The East African state has encouraged Indonesian investors to cooperate in the infrastructure, agriculture, and fisheries sectors.
With Mozambique, Trade Minister Lukita had a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Trade and Industry of Mozambique, Ragendra de Sousa.
"Indonesia and Mozambique have agreed to initiate a discussion on the PTA to develop more structured economic relations and enhance economic cooperation, trade and information exchange," Lukita said. The total trade between Indonesia and Mozambique in 2017 reached US$82.2 million, with Indonesia's exports valued at $54.1 million and its imports valued at $28.1 million. Thus, Indonesia had a trade surplus of $26 million.
In the meantime, Indonesia also held a preliminary meeting of the technical delegations with Tunisia to discuss the PTA.
The Tunisian delegation has invited the Indonesian counterpart to start the first round of the discussion on the PTA in June 2018, and the two delegations expect the talks to be completed this year.
The value of trade between Indonesia and Tunisia in 2017 amounted to $88 million. Indonesia's exports to Tunisia were valued at $55.2 million, while its imports were worth S$32.8 million.
Indonesia also held a bilateral meeting during the IAF to discuss trade tariff reductions with African countries such as Tunisia, Angola, Kenya, and South Africa.
The IAF has concluded on intensifying economic diplomacy through further discussions, in addition to discussing tariff reductions as well as minimizing non-tariff restrictions.
***3*** (A014/S012)(T.A014/A/BESSR/Suharto) 17-04-2018 00:45:1 |
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar