We are pleased that the European Union (EU) and Indonesia continue to build strong commercial relations, because the European Union is one of the most important sources of foreign direct investment for Indonesia
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia and the European Union have strengthened economic cooperation through the ASEAN Regional Integration Support-Indonesia Trade Support Facility or abbreviated to ARISE Plus Indonesia, a four-year grant program worth €15 million (nearly Rp232 billion).

ARISE Plus Indonesia is aimed at increasing the export competitiveness and Indonesia's integration into the value chain global. "We are pleased that the European Union (EU) and Indonesia continue to build strong commercial relations, because the European Union is one of the most important sources of foreign direct investment for Indonesia," Director General of National Export Development of the Ministry of Trade Dody Edward said at the inauguration of the ARISE Plus Indonesia event in Jakarta, Wednesday.

Dody was representing Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita at the event.

The program will support capacity building related to free trade agreement negotiations, improvement of quality infrastructure, to encourage flagship exports, and promote Geographical Indications (IGs) of Indonesia's flagship.

"For the intended, superior exports are agricultural products and fisheries while we want to push coffee," Dody remarked.

Also, Dody hoped that the program would be able to make Indonesian export products a part of the world supply chain.

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Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) Bambang Prijambodo said that Indonesia's economic success will depend on its capacity to reform the economic structures and diversify the manufacturing sector which will play an important role in encouraging structural transformation.

"Small and medium scale exporters must be more competitive and integrated into the international market, and we look forward to working with ARISE Plus Indonesia to achieve this goal," Bambang said.

The longstanding economic cooperation with Indonesia focused on improving the business climate, inclusive economic development, and sustainable investment, the EU delegation head for Indonesia, Vincent Piket said.

"ARISE Plus Indonesia will support the integration of Indonesia's trade and investment in ASEAN, with the European Union and in the World Trade Organization (WTO)," he said.

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Translator: Sella P/ Azis Kurmala
Editor: Sri Haryati
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