Basically, the two sides share common views that trade ties must be deepened through a formal mechanism between the two governments to discuss trade and investment issues.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian delegation held a recent meeting with the Mexican Economic Ministry in Mexico City to deliberate on approaches to deepen trade relations between the two countries.

The Indonesian delegation paid a visit to Mexico during the last leg of the Latin American trip that also brought it to Brazil and Colombia.

"Basically, the two sides share common views that trade ties must be deepened through a formal mechanism between the two governments to discuss trade and investment issues," Director of Bilateral Negotiations of the Indonesian Trade Ministry Ni Made Ayu Marthini noted in a written statement released on Friday.

Both Indonesia and Mexico are two emerging economies that have several things in common, she added.

Marthini believes that the meeting came at the opportune time in the midst of the current global economic uncertainty.

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The two delegations also exchanged information on economic and trade policies as well as the agenda of a trade agreement that the two nations are negotiating on.

At the meeting, the Indonesian delegation proposed a plan to revive a Working Group on Trade and Investment (WGTI) that the two countries had discussed in 2012.

"The WGTI may serve as a forum for the two countries to discuss trade and investment issues and opportunities, so that close ties can be established the more so since the combined market of the two countries reaches 400 million people," she stated.

Indonesia also views Mexico as one of the countries on which it is focusing the diversification of export destinations.

In the meantime, the Mexican delegation remarked that Indonesia is one of the priority countries not only in the field of trade but also investment.

Trade between Indonesia and Mexico had reached US$1.19 billion in 2018, with Indonesia recording a surplus of $618 million.

Related news: Economic diplomacy prioritized to expand Indonesia's export markets: Foreign Minister



Translator: Sella Panduarsa Gareta/Suharto
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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