Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Trade, Zulkifli Hasan, left for Cairo, Egypt, on Saturday to explore potential export markets in non-traditional countries, specifically in the continent of Africa.

“The African market, such as Egypt, is one of the potential non-traditional markets that should be worked on intensively," he said in a written statement released on Saturday.

"Thus, we will meet with a number of parties and improve trade cooperation with stakeholders in Egypt," he added.

During the work visit, which has been scheduled for three days from May 14–16, 2023, Hasan will conduct a bilateral meeting with the Egyptian trade and industry minister to discuss the continuation of cooperation between the two countries.

The two ministers are scheduled to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the formation of a joint trade committee (JTC).

In addition, the Indonesian Trade Minister will also meet Egyptian businesspersons from the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce (FEDCOC) and other organizations.

Hasan is also scheduled to open the Indonesia-Egypt Business Forum. The activity will connect businesses from the two countries.

At the event, the minister will witness the inking of a number of MoUs between businesses from the two countries, including an Indonesia-Egypt trade agreement MoU and an MoU between the two countries' chambers of commerce.

The minister is also scheduled to meet with the Indonesian diaspora in Egypt and inaugurate the Indonesia promotion exhibition room at the Indonesian Embassy in Cairo.

He will also visit several companies in Egypt, namely an Indomie factory and Indonesian coffee importers’ Zahret El Bon El Brazili Co’s coffee factory.

In January–March 2023, the total trade between Indonesia and Egypt was recorded at US$432.9 million, which reflected a 12-percent decline from US$492.1 million in the same period of the previous year.

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Translator: Maria C G P, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Sri Haryati
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