W

est Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan says North Korea'€™s intention to import West Java shoes, textile and rubber '€” a plan the country conveyed on Tuesday in a meeting between North Korean government figures, businesspersons and West Java administrative figures in Bandung, West Java '€” was impressive.

Among the meeting attendees were director of the central committee of the Workers Party of Korea, An Jong-su, chief secretary of the Pyongyang Committee Party of Korea, Kim Sun-gil, and counselor Ri Hyong -ju.

A number of unnamed businessmen also attended the meeting dressed in uniform attire '€” a dark blue suit with red pins bearing Kim Jong-un'€™s image.

'€œThe main theme was cooperation. They want to buy, not invest. They want to buy shoes, textiles and rubber. We see this as a good opportunity,'€ Heryawan said.

'€œThe meeting with the North Korean delegation was quite unique. Usually, it'€™s representatives from developed countries that offer their products to us. South Korea [for example] offers us products, but we seldom sell to them, though we have a lot of export products,'€ the governor explained.

His guests, however, did not place specific orders, but did confirm the transaction would be business-to-business.

At present, trade between the two countries remains limited, with Indonesia running a deficit since the year 2011. In 2013, Indonesian exports were worth US$2.87 million and imports amounted to $13.63 million. Last year, North Korea'€™s imports were valued at $1.41 million, and exports $1.56 million.

Indonesia has much stronger trade ties with South Korea, with exports to the country valued at $10.62 billion and imports at $11.84 billion.

Meanwhile, when asked why the delegation specifically chose West Java products, the governor replied, '€œThey said Bandung was a historic place for North Korea. I don'€™t really understand the choice. Maybe they feel more comfortable cooperating with Indonesia because there are local brands with export quality.'€

The North Korean delegation declined to be interviewed following the meeting, as did the gubernatorial protocol office.

The North Korea visit was preliminary preparation for the Asian-African Conference'€™s 60th commemorative summit in Jakarta and Bandung late next month. The governor hinted that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un would attend the events. Various reports, however, affirm that Kim'€™s presence is unlikely.

The Foreign Ministry'€™s director general for Asia-Pacific and African affairs, Yuri O. Thamrin, said the attendance of the North Korean leader remained unsure.