T

he Norwegian government plans to increase trade cooperation with Indonesia by establishing a Jakarta office of official trade representative, Innovation Norway, tasked with supporting the country’s businesses and investments.

The office will also promote Norway as a tourist destination.

“Indonesia is rich with natural resources, supported by abundant human resources and high market potential, attracting Norway to improve its economic relations,” Norwegian Trade and Industry Minister Trond Giske said at the residence of Indonesian Ambassador to Norway Esti Andayani in Oslo last week.

The Jakarta office will cover Southeast Asia, with Indonesia as the main focus. It is scheduled to open before the end of the year.

Esti welcomed the plan and said Indonesia has become more conducive for industry with the national comprehensive development plan. “The Indonesian government facilitates foreign investment. This is supported by the commitment for good governance with the work of the Corruption Eradication Commission [KPK].”

Norway’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Eivind Homme, said Indonesia had become one of the few countries with a trillion-dollar income. “This is the right time to increase cooperation by establishing an Innovation Norway Jakarta office.”

Norway’s foreign direct investment (FDI) in Indonesia between 2006 and 2010 reached US$24.9 million.

The 2011 volume of trade between the two countries showed a surplus for Indonesia, with an increase of 13 percent in the export value to Norway, amounting to 986 million Norwegian kroner (US$172 million).

There has been increasing demands in commodities, such as clothing, communication and sound equipment, and wooden and metal products.