The Trade Ministry is intensifying efforts to increase exports by initiating a buying mission between Indonesian companies and importers from Spain and Thailand on Thursday.

Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita was present at a signing ceremony for the mission at a Trade Ministry meeting at Hotel Borobudur in Jakarta.

"The trade mission was signed by two Indonesian companies and two importers through trade representatives in Barcelona in Spain and Bangkok with a total value of US$3.1 million," acting Trade Ministry export development director general Bachrul Chairi said in a statement.

PT Dasar Rukun will export $1.1 million worth of string to Spain, while PT Wangta Agung will export $2 million worth of footwear to Thailand.

The buying mission, Bachrul said, was part of the Trade Ministry's efforts to promote trade and help exporters make deals with foreign importers.

President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo had criticized Trade Ministry officials on Wednesday for weak export growth, which lags behind other ASEAN countries.

Despite a 16.22 percent increase, the 2017 export performance of $169 billion paled in comparison to Thailand’s $236.69 billion, Vietnam’s $213.77 billion and Malaysia’s $219.45 billion. (kmt/bbn)