RI to host ASEAN-Latin Business Forum in July

Indonesia is slated to host a business forum for ASEAN and South American countries on July 9 to 10 toprovide chances for business people from both regions to connect and explore business opportunities.

The ASEAN-Latin Business forum would find its significance amid ongoing uncertainty in traditional market economies, especially those in the European Union and the UA, Trade Ministry director general for international trade cooperation Iman Pambagyo said on Thursday.

“There is no reason to think that ASEAN and Latin America and the Caribbean cannot establish trade and investment cooperation in the future, particularly as the demography of both regions is very conducive for efforts to improve mutual relationships,” he said in a statement.

Both regions, home to around 580 million and with a total gross domestic product of US$5 trillion, had two-way trade totaling US$48.54 billion in 2010.

In addition to business people, the forum will be attended by government officials from both regions, including Peruvian Minister for International Trade and Tourism Jose Kuis Silva Martinot, Chilean Executive Vice President of Foreign Investment Committee Matias Mori, Singaporean Minister of Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang, and

Malaysian Minister of International Trade and Industry Dato Sri Mustapa Mohamed.