The European Union wants to strengthen its trade cooperation with Indonesia saying that EU country members were a potential export market for Indonesia to improve the latter's negative trade balance
he European Union wants to strengthen its trade cooperation with Indonesia saying that EU country members were a potential export market for Indonesia to improve the latter's negative trade balance.
EU Ambassador to Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam and ASEAN, Olof Skoog, said Friday that President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo aimed to achieve a growth rate of 7 percent, which would need a high level of imported goods to increase GDP while still experiencing a negative trade balance.
'The European Union, therefore, offers an export market for Indonesia so that its trade balance could improve and the 7 percent economic target could be achieved,' he said, as quoted by Antara news agency, during a press conference on the European Union-Indonesia Business Dialogue, which will be held on Nov. 19.
"Indonesia still needs imports to get the best technology to improve its infrastructure and various other things. By increasing quality, Indonesia will achieve sustainable economic growth.'
He said that the EU, with its 28 member countries, was a big market for Indonesia's exports, even bigger than countries like China and India.
'We are the biggest export market for Indonesia,' Skoog said, adding that Europe had been the biggest export market for Indonesia's palm oil in recent years.
Meanwhile, Skoog said that the Nov. 19 dialogue, which is supported by five European chambers of commerce ' BritCham, EKONID, EuroCham, IFCCI and INA ', would be focused on five strategic sectors of automotive; agriculture, food and beverages; infrastructure, maritime and logistics; pharmaceuticals and cosmetics; and energy and renewable energy. (ask/nvn)(++++)
Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.
Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.