The annual event was held as a result of the cooperation between Indonesia`s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Indonesian Embassy in the Middle-East, as well as the provincial government of Yogyakarta, as revealed in the statement from Indonesian Embassy in Damascus, received in Jakarta, Tuesday.
The Indonesian Embassy in Damascus participated and facilitated the visit of 47 businessmen and/or potential buyers, including four entrepreneurs who were present at the Indonesia-Middle East Gathering on Economy or IMAGE and will attend the 33rd Trade Expo Indonesia event at ICE BSD from October 24 to 28.
IMAGE 2018 highlighted economic potential and investment in Yogyakarta as its theme. Provincial Secretary of Yogyakarta, Head of Yogyakarta Industry and Trade Agency, and a number of Indonesian Ambassadors and Indonesian Consul General in the Middle East region were reportedly present in the event.
Aside from business meetings the event also featured booths from Yogyakarta Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and a fashion show that showcased creations of a local Muslim designer.
The presence of Syrian entrepreneurs in IMAGE 2018, in particular, is a signal of improving political and economic conditions, as well as the reviving economic and trade activities in the country.
With that enthusiasm, the Indonesian Embassy in Damascus is committed to continuing and spurring increased trade value between Indonesia and Syria, through various means, including promotion and encouraging more intensive business contacts between the two business sectors.
The trade value of the two countries in 2017 was recorded at US$34.60 million with a surplus on the Indonesian side of US$34.59 million.
Meanwhile, in January to August 2018 period, the value of trade between the two countries reached $25.78 million, indicating an increase of 22.21 percent over the same period last year.
A visit to IMAGE Yogyakarta this time was used by Syrian businessmen to directly establish business communications their Indonesian counterparts, which include furniture craftsman and companies, coffee, cashews and electric appliances businesses.
Syrian participant Aiman Ibrahim, expressed his satisfaction with the visit to Yogyakarta.
"I was very impressed with what Yogyakarta has to offer. I am also quite satisfied, and interested in buying products of teak and solid wood furniture (such as sonokeling) produced by Yogyakarta craftsmen," he said.
In the near future, he planned to order a container, with the volume of 40 ft, full of furniture as an initial step for his business relations.
The participants in general were very enthusiastic to see the variety of seeded products of Yogyakarta. In addition to participants from Syria there were also participants from other Middle Eastern countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Yemen and Saudi Arabia.
Reporting by Azis Kurmala
Editing by Aria Cindyara
Reporter: Aria Cindyara
Editor: Andi Abdussalam
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
