Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Industry minister Airlangga Hartarto on Wednesday called upon small- and medium-scale industries to improve their capacity and access to funds so as to explore new markets for exports.

Improved capacity and greater access to funds, equipment and technology will help them explore potential markets in Africa and Latin America, the minister said, at the opening of the Trade Indonesia Expo (TEI), themed, "Indonesia: Source of Natural and Creative Products."

While Africa and Latin America both need products such as garments, furniture, pulp and papers, Indonesia could import agricultural items such as beef and soybean from Latin America, Hartarto said.

The minister urged the countrys small- and medium-scale entrepreneurs to be more innovative in production and strategy so that they can explore new export markets.

Organized from October 12 to 16, this is Indonesias largest trade expo. Many countries, including Nigeria, Malaysia, India, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Papua New Guinea and Bangladesh, have sent large delegations to participate in it.

The presence of such a large number of foreign buyers could help open up new markets for the export of Indonesian products.

(Reported by Sella Panduarsa Gareta/Uu.F001/INE/KR-BSR/A014)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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