T

he European Union (EU) has expressed its strong commitment to boost trade relations with Indonesia and improve the capacity of small- and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) for its domestic market and exports.

Ranieri Sabatucci leading the European Commission’s trade delegation to Indonesia, said in a meeting with the House of Representatives’ Commission VI on trade and industry recently that the EU considered Indonesia a key trading partner in ASEAN.

“We will continue to boost bilateral and regional trade relations with both Indonesia and the region in the future,” he said.

Ranieri, who is also head of the European External Services’ Southeast Asia Unit, said the EU would help growing SMEs in Indonesia to improve their capacity in meeting the growing demand of Indonesia’s domestic market and for exports to other countries, including Europe.

“EU member countries have their high technology with long-term success in developing SMEs and we are ready to provide technology, information and training for SMEs in Indonesia to improve their capacity and productivity to meet domestic market demands,” he said.

Asked about the establishment of the ASEAN-EU Joint Cooperation Committee, Ranieri said the committee aimed to improve cooperation between the two regions in all fields, including trade and industry.

Committee chairman Airlangga Hartarto praised the bilateral trade relationship, which is expected to improve Indonesia’s trade and exports to the EU, and the provision of information, technology and training to SMEs in Indonesia.

“Indonesia’s economy will grow stronger in the future and its trade ties with the European Union will enter a golden age if the capacity and productivity of SMEs are increased and if the two sides further boost their complementary trade ties,” he said.

Exports from Indonesia to Europe have been declining due to the global slowdown, which has hit several EU members. Many Indonesian exporters have sought alternative markets, like other Southeast Asian countries, or strengthened their presence in the domestic market to stay in business.