Indonesia will continue to strengthen trade relations with India, especially in the spice trade sector
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan expressed Indonesia's commitment to strengthening trade relations with India, especially in the spice sector, during a visit to the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Market in Mumbai, India, on Wednesday.

Hasan remarked that Indonesia is a spice-producing nation that exports spices to several countries, including India.

He admitted to being surprised to see the quite advanced scale of spice trade at APMC.

"Indonesia will continue to strengthen trade relations with India, especially in the spice trade sector. For that, Indonesia must learn," Hasan noted in a written statement received in Jakarta on Thursday.

Furthermore, cloves from Manado, known as Lalpari, are quite popular in India. The cloves are considered to be of the best quality in the world.

"We must continue to maintain and improve the quality of Indonesian cloves," the minister emphasized.

Hasan said that after attending the G20 Trade and Investment Ministers' Meeting (TIMM), he plans to discuss with India's Minister of Trade Piyush Goyal regarding a solution to address tariff barriers.

On the occasion, Hasan also invited members of APMC to join the India Trade mission at the Trade Expo Indonesia 2023 held on October 18-22 in Tangerang, Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Director of Komal Exotic Spices (K Ahuja Foods) Gopaal Ahuja stated that the minister's visit is a matter of great honor since India and Indonesia have a long-standing history of trade relations.

"We have long-standing trade relations with Indonesia. Many of the spices here come from Indonesia, like pepper, coriander, and clove," Gopaal remarked.

During the visit, the minister had the opportunity to witness up close the activities running in the APMC market.

Gopaal stated that India's spice entrepreneurs were pleased to meet and engage in a dialogue with Hasan.

"Our businessmen are happy to meet and have a dialogue with the minister, as Indonesia is an important country and that he wants to go to the market like this is something extraordinary," Gopaal remarked.

APMC Market is the largest spice trading center in India and is one of the largest in Asia and the world.

The APMC Market has 15 thousand registered companies, with an area of 77 hectares.

Related news: Viscose staple fiber exports to India potentially increase: minister
Related news: Minister urges Indian businessmen to boost partnership with Indonesia
Related news: Indonesia invites India to expedite PTA negotiations

Translator: Yoanita Hastryka Djohan
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2023