"Although no negotiations have been held, e the two parties` interest in each other has been very strong and there has been an increase in relations between government and business players. So I could set a growth target at 20 percent," Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu said on the sidelines of a meeting with EU Trade Commissioner Karel de Gucht here on Wednesday.
She said she was optimistic the target would be met as in January this year Indonesia`s trade with the EU had already increased very high by 42.2 percent from the same period last year to US$2.64 billion.
Karel de Gucht also expressed conviction the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement which is now being designed would increase trade relations between the two sides.
"There are still a lot of opportunities which have not yet been exploited. I am convinced trade may still increase twice bigger," he said.
He said the European Union plans to provide support worth around 30 million euros to promote Indonesia`s export infrastructure quality.
The EU is one of Indonesia`s important trade partners and so is Indonesia for the EU.
According to the trade ministry`s data, total trade between Indonesia and the EU in 2010 reached US$26.99 billion rising by 21.3 percent from the year before.
Indonesia`s exports to the region in 2010 were valued at US$17.14 billion while its imports at US$9.86 billion.
Indonesia has always enjoyed a surplus in its trade with the EU from 2006 to 2010.
In 2010 its surplus in its trade with the EU was recorded at US$7.26 billion which was up by 48 percent from the previous year. In January 2011 the surplus reached US$953.8 million.
Indonesia`s main exports to the EU are palm oil and its derivatives, copper, rubber, coal, footwear, plastic, furniture and copra.
The country`s main imports from the region meanwhile are electronic equipment, aircraft, motor vehicles, machinery and medicines.(*)
(H-YH/HAJM/f001)
Editor: Ruslan Burhani
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
