President Widodo emphasized that opportunities still exist in several countries in Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East, among others for exporting the country`s commodities.Makassar, South Sulawesi (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo has urged the countrys exporters to explore new markets by taking advantage of the rupiahs current depreciation against the US dollar.
"We usually only look at traditional markets such as the United States, Europe, China, Japan, and Korea while, in fact, there are other countries that we can enter," he noted in his speech at the launch of Threefold Export Increase Movement at Pelindo IV Makassar Container Terminal here on Monday.
President Widodo emphasized that opportunities still exist in several countries in Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East, among others for exporting the countrys commodities.
"Starting next week, trade missions will be sent to countries that we have never explored before," he affirmed.
On the occasion, President Widodo expressed pride and lauded South Sulawesi for its efforts in increasing production and exports in the midst of the current global economic slowdown.
"It makes me very optimistic that we can benefit from the depreciation of the rupiah," he remarked.
He stated that the exchange rate between Rp13.4 thousand and Rp13.5 thousand per US dollar was also considered beneficial for export purposes. He admitted that it had become a problem as Indonesias economy has relied on consumption.
"In view of this, I have reiterated the importance of transforming the situation from a domestic consumption-based to a production-based economy," he added.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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