Several other issues will also be discussed in the bilateral meeting.
Abuja (ANTARA News) - Indonesian and Nigerian trade ministers with their respective delegation in a bilateral meeting in Abuja discussed the spirit of strengthening trade and investment cooperation between the two countries on Saturday.

During the meeting at Hilton Hotel, Indonesia Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan was accompanied by the Head of Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Muhammad Chatib Basri and several business makers.

While the Nigerian delegation was made up of the Trade and Investment Minister Olusegun Aganga Olutoyin and a number of businessmen and representatives of Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Besides the cooperation, several other issues will also be discussed in the bilateral meeting.

For Indonesia, the crucial issues are about Regulation of Nigeria Finance Ministry about the ban of imports and absolute import list, include 109 products and 22 product groups, as well as issues related to the challenges of investment and agricultural cooperation.

Related to the regulation of import ban list that also inhibits a number of Indonesia`s export products, Nigeria should review the regulations in line with the provisions of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Indonesia also encouraged Nigeria to freed the import ban on potential Indonesian products such as textiles and textile products, footwear, furniture, pharmaceuticals, and household items.

Both minister attended business forum which is filled with the business matching of both country major businessman.

Among the businessmen in attendance was President Director of Garuda Indonesia Emirsyah Satar, President Director of PT GMF AeroAsia Richard Budihadianto, Chairman of Chamber of Commerce and Industry African Commission Mintardjo Halim, Chairman of Indofood in Nigeria Adhi Narto, Alhaji Barau Mangal (Max Air Ltd), Tonny ezzena (Orange Drugs Ltd.), Herbert A. Ajayi (NACCIMA), and B. Jamodu Kolawole (Nigeria Manufacturing Association).

Indonesia`s import rate of Nigeria increasing with the average growth per year reach 21 percent, but bilateral trade between Indonesia and Nigeria is deficit due to the value of mineral fuel imports reached 2.37 billion US dollars in 2012.

Besides mineral fuels, Indonesia also imports non-oil products to Nigeria such as cotton, aluminum tin black, red leather, paperboard, articles of wood, Machinery and mechanical appliances, coffee, tea, spices and soap and cleaning preparations. (*)

(Reporting by Rahmad Nasation; editing by Sella Panduarsa Gareta)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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