New era of international trade beckons for Indonesia

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Successful entrepreneurs standing on stage to receive their outstanding awards before the opening of the 30th Trade Expo Indonesia at Jakarta, Indonesia on Wednesday.

Successful entrepreneurs standing on stage to receive their outstanding awards before the opening of the 30th Trade Expo Indonesia at Jakarta, Indonesia on Wednesday.

JAKARTA: Indonesia is poised to enter a new era of trade and businesses which will put the country more on the radar of international trade.

Indonesia’s Minister of Trade Thomas T. Lembong believes that with higher number of exporters especially from Indonesia taking advantage of the global market to sell their products and services, it will benefit the largest economy in the Southeast Asia country in the future.

This in turn will spur the country’s economic growth and move the economy to a higher level.

“We are entering a new era (of international trade). This is important for us and Indonesia will also enhance its manufacturing of goods.

“(Thus), we are strongly committed in providing facilities for trade activities,” he said during the opening of 30th Trade Expo Indonesia at PT Jakarta International Expo at the capital city of Indonesia here on Wednesday.

He added there is still a lot of work to be done and hoped that businesses will continue to maintain a long-term relationship with the government that could provide a win-win situation for both parties.

The government will continue to maintain a business friendly approach to exporters and encouraged high potential businesses to venture their business abroad.

Meanwhile, the 30th Trade Expo Indonesia which was held at PT Jakarta International Expo Hall was graced open by Indonesia’s president Joko Widodo on Wednesday.

At the opening ceremony, Widodo also presented outstanding awards to 30 entrepreneurs who have successfully and consistently remained competitive in the international trade arena.

Trade Expo Indonesia, which was the largest trade exhibition in Indonesia has attracted more than 14,000 buyers from 118 countries this year.

The exhibition showcases products from various industries ranging from agriculture, textile, beauty products, manufacturing, chemical and so forth.

Besides, there were also many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) which participated in the expo to promote their products and services.

As for Sarawak, a delegation of businessmen led by Consul General of The Republic of Indonesia in Kuching, Jahar Gultom,  were given the opportunity to network and interact with the exhibitors at the trade exhibition.

On another note, the Consulate General of The Republic of Indonesia in a statement said last year’s Trade Expo Indonesia has scored total transaction value of up to US$1.42 billion with products transaction worth US$814.31 million being closed.

The amount was an increase of 17.64 per cent as compared to the transaction from 2013.

The Consulate General of The Republic of Indonesia revealed that products that attracted the most buyers last year were furniture, processed food, textile and textile products, building materials and also paper and paper products. It observed demand from those products mostly came from Canada, India, Australia, South Korea and the US.

Moreover, The Consulate General of The Republic of Indonesia observed that Malaysia delegation was the biggest entourage last year with total number of 154 businessmen from all over Malaysia.

Last year, there were 24 delegates from Sarawak who joined the trade exhibition.

Among those present at the expo were Special Adviser to the Prime Minister for Women and Social Development Affairs Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Malaysia Herman Prayitno and ambassadors from various countries as well as thousands of businessmen and entrepreneurs from around the world.