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Ukraine-RI bilateral trade on track for US$1 billion
The Ukrainian Embassy in Jakarta, opened in 1996, might be a small one, but bilateral trade between the two countries is growing by leaps and bounds -- this year it is set to pass the US$1 billion mark
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The Ukrainian Embassy in Jakarta, opened in 1996, might be a small one, but bilateral trade between the two countries is growing by leaps and bounds -- this year it is set to pass the US$1 billion mark. The Ukrainian Embassy's Charge d'Affaires Serhii L. Tarhonii spoke on Saturday with The Jakarta Post's Veeramalla Anjaiah about the growing ties between Ukraine and Indonesia. Following are excerpts from the interview.
Question: What is the present state of relations between Ukraine and Indonesia?
Answer: Indonesia is our partner country with strategic potential that we should intensify and diversify into the field of cooperation and people-to-people contacts.
The relations between our countries have always been based on the grounds of goodwill and mutual understanding. Being the largest Muslim country in the world with a proactive peaceful foreign policy, Indonesia has always been regarded by Ukraine as one of its most important partners in Southeast Asia and a significant world player.
At present both countries have a solid legal foundation for the development of mutually beneficial cooperation in different areas.
In November this year the Framework agreement between Ukraine and Indonesia on cooperation in peaceful exploration of outer space was signed in Jakarta and that opened up new opportunities for our states to further strengthen and develop bilateral cooperation in different areas.
Could you please throw some light on economic relations?
Economic relations between our countries are being actively developed. Last year the trade turnover between Ukraine and Indonesia reached US$888.98 million, which was the largest indicator among all countries of Central and Eastern Europe. It is a significant improvement since trade turnover between our countries was only $240.25 million in 2003.
This year the trade value may pass $1 billion. We mainly import cacao, tea, palm oil, natural rubber, vegetable oil and fats, furniture, clothes and shoes from Indonesia and we export mainly metals, minerals, nonorganic fertilizers, machines, pumps and turbines to Indonesia.
In 2008 three delegations of Ukrainian entrepreneurs visited Indonesia with the aim of establishing business contacts with their local counterparts. Ukraine and Indonesia have to further develop their potential in the economic area.
We have proposed to the Indonesian side to consider the possibility of extending the visa-on-arrival facility for citizens of Ukraine.
Many people here do not know much about Ukraine. What are your plans to raise your country's profile in Indonesia?
The Embassy of Ukraine actively works on disseminating updated information about the latest developments in Ukraine. The embassy officials regularly meet with the representatives of governmental bodies and nongovernmental organizations.
On Nov. 22 Ukraine held commemorative events and an International Forum dedicated to the 75th Anniversary of the Great Famine (Holodomor) in Ukraine in 1932-33 during which millions of innocent people died.
Here in Jakarta, we have disseminated information about the Holodomor among Indonesian authorities and diplomatic circles.
The embassy also held a minute of silence and flew our national flag at half-mast in front of the embassy. We also organized an exhibition on those tragic years in Ukraine's history.
The embassy actively participates in different events where there is an opportunity to inform the Indonesian public about Ukraine and its culture, history and prospects for the future.
What is your main mission in Indonesia?
The main mission in Indonesia is to do our best to promote relations between Ukraine and Indonesia to a higher level, further facilitate economic cooperation and, of course, make Ukraine better known to the friendly people of Indonesia, and provide Ukraine's citizens with all necessary assistance and information during their visits to Indonesia.
What is your perception of the Indonesian people and their culture?
The people of Indonesia are very proud of their culture and country. It is really amazing to see that many Indonesians have such a striking desire to learn and know something new. The culture of Indonesia has an extraordinary diversity that can be found in its language, housing, cuisine, dance and music and artistic expressions, and all opportunities should be explored for disseminating information about Indonesian heritage and culture among other countries, including Ukraine.
