Expansion of export markets to Middle East, East Europe and South Africa are expected to help offset a decline in the country`s exports to its traditional markets like the European Union, the United States and Japan.
Expansion targets also include countries grouped in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) atau ASEAN + 6 (Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand).
Bank Mandiri, ASEI and the trade ministry signed their commitment in a memorandum of understanding here on Thursday.
Bank Mandiri`s president Zulkifli Zaini said exporters find the condition difficult at present under global uncertainties as a result of the European debt crisis, which shows no letting up .
Exporters need to find new markets in countries outside Indonesia`s traditional markets which are beset by the global slump, Zulkifli said.
The country`s largest bank in asset, and ASEI will be ready to help in the way the could in international transactions such as in pre-shipment financing and post-shipment financing both LC and non LC transactions with competitive interest rate, he said.
The collaboration between Bank Mandiri and ASEI is expected to be able to keep the risk under control in export financing that more financing service could be offered especially in exports to non traditional markets, he added.
Commercial and Business Banking Director of Bank Mandiri Sunarso said exports financed by Bank Mandiri has increased 30 percent annually on the average in the past three years.
Until September 2012, export transactions handled by the bank reached US$40.8 billion and imports transaction totaled US$42.5 billion or an increase of 31 percent on year.
(Uu.AS/H-ASG/H-YH)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
