Tangerang (ANTARA) - Deputy Minister of Trade Jerry Sambuaga expressed optimism that Indonesia's export performance would skyrocket and contribute significantly to the trade balance with the opening of Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI) at ICE BSD in Tangerang, Wednesday.

"We certainly hope that our exports will skyrocket and will certainly make a significant contribution to the trade balance," Sambuaga remarked.

Sambuaga noted that Indonesia's trade balance in September 2023 again recorded a trade surplus of US$3.42 billion. The figure is higher as compared to US$3.12 billion recorded in August 2023.

The trade surplus recorded an achievement for 41 consecutive months, reaching US$27.75 billion cumulatively during the January-September 2023 period.

This year's TEI is expected to continue to increase exports, with a transaction target of US$11 billion. Sambuaga is optimistic that this would be achieved due to the signing of 187 memoranda of understanding from 32 countries in the expo.

The Ministry of Trade currently has trade representatives in 31 countries. It is hoped that the representatives would become promotion and marketing agents for Indonesian products abroad.

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In this way, trade performances can continue to improve and Indonesia continues to record a trade balance surplus.

"This year, we are taking the theme of Economic Resilience, not only to encourage sustainable trade but also to reflect our joint efforts in maintaining trade performance," Sambuaga stated.

The 38th TEI will take place on October 18-22, 2023, at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) BSD, Tangerang, Banten. Meanwhile, it will be held online on October 18 to December 18, 2023.

Main export products will be displayed in seven product zones. The seven zones are Food & Beverages, Home Living, Digital & Services, Beauty & Personal Care, Chemical, Energy & Industrial Products, Medical Equipment & Healthcare, and Fashion, Textile & Accessories.

In the event, there are business matching programs, business counseling, international seminars, business dialogue, and trade missions for foreign and local buyers. Moreover, the Jakarta Muslim Fashion Week will also be held on October 19-21, 2023. TEI was attended by 144 countries with 11,322 buyers.

Related news: 37th TEI records transactions of US$2,94 billion

Translator: Maria Cicilia Galuh Prayudhia, Cindy Frishanti Oct
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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