Head of the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) Taruna Ikrar and Tunisian Ambassador to Indonesia Mohamed Trabelsi convened in Jakarta on Tuesday (November 18), where they exchanged views on synchronizing regulations to support bilateral trade.
"We at the BPOM are ready to facilitate the entry of any kind of products from Tunisia into Indonesia, especially food. I think there will be no hurdles as long as the products are of good quality," Ikrar noted in a statement cited here on Wednesday.
He told the ambassador that his agency is responsible for ensuring that imported products meet Indonesia's safety and quality standards and affirmed his commitment to assisting Tunisia in fulfilling the requirements needed to access the Indonesian market.
Ikrar also emphasized the importance of harmonizing regulations of both countries to ensure uninterrupted access of Tunisian products to the Indonesian market, particularly those needing certification.
In this regard, the BPOM chief voiced eagerness to deploy an official team to Tunisia to conduct an assessment of good manufacturing practices (GMP) as part of efforts to facilitate bilateral trade.
"We may come to visit production facilities in your country to pursue GMP certification. Once your products have been declared as compliant with our standards, we can promptly issue certificates to allow for exports to Indonesia," he told Trabelsi.
The Tunisian envoy, for his part, pointed out that negotiations on a preferential trade agreement between the two nations have reached the final stage. He expressed hope that the agreement will deliver a significant boost to bilateral trade.
He then highlighted the importance of the Indonesian market for Tunisia, noting that his country is keen to expand exports of its two featured commodities: dates and olive oil.
"We view the Indonesian market as crucial. Our objective is to increase date exports and promote olive oil—two commodities that Indonesia does not produce," Trabelsi remarked.
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Translator: Prisca T, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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