"The Indonesian government has always offered opportunities to Indian businessmen after the signing of the economic cooperation agreement between the two countries," he said when receiving a 35-member Indian business delegation at his office here on Tuesday.
The Indian delegation includes businessmen involved in industries such as mining, film, tour and travel, steel, energy, electricity, infrastructure, software, telecommunication, defence, food products (including seafood), and furniture.
The visit was a follow-up to the two countries` agreement to increase economic cooperation through trade and investment. The delegation also plans to meet with its Indonesian counterpart and government officials.
According to Gusmardi, Indonesia and India have a common desire to increase their bilateral relations. Both countries are multicultural and were pioneers of the Asia-Africa resurrection in 1955.
"Right now, Indonesia and India are both emerging markets that play an important role in the world economy. The two are also quite influential in international forums such as G-20," he said.
Gusmardi hoped that the direct meeting between the two countries` businessmen would produce concrete results in the form of investments and trade contracts.
Members of the Indian delegation include business executives from Srei Infrastructure Finance Ltd., Mokul Group of Companies, SAFTA Logistic, Monnet Ispat & Energy Ltd., Saru Diamonds Pvt Ltd., and Rohit Ferro.
Their Indonesian counterparts will be from PT Bonecom Servistama Compindo, Niramas Utama, Prima Persada Nusantara, Indo Jati Furniture, Kobe Alina Food, PT Sinar Sosro, Sinar Mas, Astra Agro Lestari, Jayakarta Nusatama, and PT Eastern Union, among others.
Total trade between the two countries this year has been recorded at US$17.6 billion, with Indonesia`s exports to India reaching US$13.3 billion and imports from India at US$4.3 billion. Based on those figures, Indonesia enjoys a surplus of US$9 billion.
Bilateral trade between the two countries has risen by 25.3 percent during 2007-11.
Indonesia`s main exports to India are crude palm oil, coal, copper, rubber, and olein, while its imports from that country are cyclic hydrocarbons, corn, motor vehicles, and telephone equipment and accessories.
(SYS/KR-BSR/S012)
Editor: Suryanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
