The Indonesian government wants direct export activities to Saudi Arabia, without going through a liaison country.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan has said that trade cooperation between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia must continue to be increased without the involvement of any liaison country.

"The Indonesian government wants direct export activities to Saudi Arabia, without going through a liaison country. I hope that Indonesian businesspersons will get the chance to meet with the Saudi Arabian Chamber of Commerce and Industry," he informed in a statement released on Friday.

The minister said that the relationship between the two countries is good and is expected to help increase Indonesia's export performance. Therefore, his ministry has continued to intensify trade cooperation with Saudi Arabian businesspersons.

Earlier, Hasan informed that Indonesian and Saudi Arabian businesspersons held meetings in Jakarta as part of efforts to boost the value of trade between the two countries.

"In the future, the trade relations between the two countries will continue to improve. Several months ago Indonesia and Saudi Arabia held a business forum in Riyadh and Jeddah, which was attended by the top 10 businesspersons from each country," he said.

The minister also sought support for accelerating the launch of and negotiations on the Indonesia-Gulf Cooperation Council Economic Partnership Agreement (IGCC-EPA).

During his meeting with secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) during his trade mission to Saudi Arabia on January 23, 2023, the two parties agreed to start IGCC-EPA negotiations. The GCC also obtained principle permission from the ministerial council to conduct EPA negotiations with Indonesia.

"Indonesia has submitted a draft term of reference (ToR) for the IGCC-EPA negotiations since February 3, and proposed the launching to the GCC secretariat on February 28," Hasan added.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabian Trade Minister Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi welcomed Minister Hasan's effort to increase trade between the two countries.

"Trade with Indonesia should continue to increase. Currently, we have good trade conditions with Vietnam and Thailand. With Indonesia, it should be even better," he said.

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Translator: Maria Cicilia G P, Resinta S
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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