TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Trade Ministry targets Algerian market
Change Size
(Courtesy of Ministry of Trade)
T
rade Minister Enggartiasto “Enggar” Lukita is leading a business delegation from Nov. 20 to 22 to expand trade to non-traditional market Algeria, in line with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s recent direction to expand Indonesian trade to the African market.
“We need to create trade cooperation with non-traditional markets such as Algeria. One of our missions in Algeria is to sound out the possibilities of market expansion to the country, which is geographically far but has great opportunities,” said Minister Enggar.
The delegation’s Algerian agenda includes business forums, one-on-one business matching, and corporate visits. In addition, the minister will meet with several Algerian ministers and the chairman of the Algerian chamber of commerce to discuss possible steps to enhancing bilateral trade. One possible measure for achieving this is to establish a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between Indonesia and Algeria.
“Through this visit, we hope to discuss with them directly about various opportunities for economic cooperation with Algeria. This would help resolve various issues and increase our exports to Africa,” Enggar said.
The Indonesian delegation to Algeria consists of 13 leading businesses from several sectors, including: palm oil and derivative products, tires, coffee products, ginger candy, instant chocolate beverages, pearls, educational toys, instant noodles, home decoration, herbs and spices, coconut products, spa products, export financing and trade facilities, education, legal services, construction and infrastructure, lubricants and furniture.
The ministry’s export development director general, Arlinda, who accompanied the Trade Minister on the visit, said that the delegation’s members would all meet with potential buyers in Algeria, which would create an even greater opportunity for bigger transactions.
“We expect the potential buyers to be invited by the Indonesian Embassy in Algeria. This trade mission is an initial step for the two countries’ leading businesses to meet face-to-face and open possibilities for cooperation that will lead to increased exports to Algeria,” she said.
Arlinda added that Indonesia’s trade mission indicated the government’s serious stance on increasing economic, trade and investment cooperation with the Algerian government and its business players. The visit is expected to be a stepping-stone toward increased cooperation between the two countries.
Total trade between Indonesia and Algeria reached US$519.77 million in 2017, compared to $515.92 million in 2016. In January-August 2018, bilateral trade reached $376.80 million, compared to $304.52 million during the same period last year.
Indonesian exports to Algeria in January-August 2018 totaled $142.06 million, with $142.06 million in non-oil and gas exports. Indonesia’s top exports to Algeria were palm oil, vegetable oils, coffee, fish products, wooden boards, coolers and yarn.
Indonesia’s imports from Algeria include fuel, ammonia, fruits, wooden boards, cereals, printing machines, electronic spare parts and machinery. Non-oil and gas imports reached $2.83 million alone this year. (*)
