At home, it is now organizing its 30th Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI) 2015, an international export promotion event being held in Jakarta on October 21-25 that is expected to open access for Indonesian products in non-traditional markets.
"The Ministry of Trade is making continued efforts to diversify the countrys export markets. At the TEI 2015, for instance, most of the registered overseas buyers delegations came from non-traditional markets, such Nigeria, India, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, and Malaysia," Trade Minister Thomas Lembong noted while opening TEI 2015 in Jakarta on Wednesday.
The TEI 2015 aims to provide latest developments on international export market regulations for exporters, buyers, and investors by organizing activities, such as a seminar on Trade, Tourism and Investment (TTI).
Other activities included business consultation and counseling by trade attaches and the chiefs of the Indonesian Trade Promotion Center (ITPC). Exporters are given information on access and penetration to overseas markets.
Lembong said the government hoped the TEI would result in several trade cooperation agreements between Indonesian exporters and their overseas buyers that would contribute to boosting the nations exports.
"The TEI is a means of increasing market access and diversifying the main export destinations, particularly non-traditional markets and emerging markets. Just like last year, the TEI this year is focused on Business to Business (B2B) transactions," said Trade Minister Thomas Lembong.
Lembong said the TEI is an important platform for promoting the Indonesian export products. With the theme Sourcing at Remarkable Indonesia, the TEI this time is being held at the Jakarta International Expo (JIExpo). On display will be Indonesian export-oriented goods and services.
In order to make the TEI an effective promotional activity, the Ministry of Trade is focusing on inviting buyers from overseas through cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, among others through the Indonesian representatives offices abroad, such as embassies, trade attaches, Indonesian Trade Promotion Center, International Trade Promotion Office and the chambers of commerce and industry of neighboring countries.
Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Herman Prayitno has invited 130 buyers from Malaysia to attend the 30th TEI.
"We are bringing 130 buyers from Malaysia," Ambassador Herman noted in a press conference on TEI 2015 in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Herman expressed confidence that the volume of trade between Indonesia and Malaysia would increase, although the global economy is still weakening.
"We bring 130 buyers from Malaysia to increase our trade volume although the world is facing economic contraction," Herman affirmed.
In the meantime, Indonesian Ambassador to Australia Nadjib Riphat Kosoema said he had also brought 60 buyers from Australia who were interested to import goods from Indonesia.
"We are bringing 60 buyers who are ready to import more goods from Indonesia," remarked Nadjib.
He explained that the Australian demand for Indonesian food and beverage products had increased by 13 percent. After all, Australian buyers have acknowledged the system being applied by Indonesia in its wood-based product trade.
"For furniture products, Australia has acknowledged Indonesias Timber Legality Verification System (SVLK), so that Indonesian exports to Australia could increase," Nadjib stated.
On the first day of TEI 2015, several trade contracts valued at more than US$ eight million were concluded. The trade contracts were signed by seven Indonesian exporters and five buyers.
The contracts were signed between PT Cipta Panel Buana and Kohnan Shoji Co. Ltd. of Japan; PT Anggana Catur Prima and JANS Enterprises of the United States; PT Perkebunan Nusantara VIII and Kong Wooi Fong Tea Merchant Sdn. Bhd. of Malaysia; Sinar Sosro and Eastern Cross Trading Pty. Ltd. of Australia; CV Intrafood and Eastern Cross Trading Pty. Ltd. of Australia; PT Bamboe Indonesia and Eastern Cross Trading Pty. Ltd. of Australia; and PT Inti Bintang Mas Perkasa and Canejava Pty. Ltd. of Australia.
The Ministry of Trade said the TEI has set a target to conclude transactions worth US$1.4 billion.
"The numbers of both, the participants and visitors to the trade expo, will increase this year," Thomas Lembong said in press conference on TEI 2015.
On this occasion, Director General of National Export Development of the Ministry of Trade, Nus Nuzulia Ishak, said the transaction target this year is the same as it was last year.
"We have not set a higher target and kept it at the same level as that of last year, which means it is US$1.4 billion," she said.
Nuzulia Ishak said although the target remains the same, yet the number of prospective buyers attending the exposition will witness an increase, reaching 14 thousand people.
"In the next couple of days, we will see the number of buyers reaching 14 thousand people," the Director General of the National Export Development said
The products being promoted in TEI 2015 cover manufacturing products such as automotive, footwear, textile products, household appliances, building materials, housewares, consumer goods, paper products, medical devices, and rubber goods. The others are professional services, furniture, home decor, processed food, and products related to fisheries, agriculture, and creative economy.(*)
Reporter: Andi Abdussalam
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2015
