VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Trade Ministry keeps encouraging the export of Indonesian small and medium businesses products into the global market. One of which was by using international trade agreement. That was stated by Deputy Minister of Trade Ministry, Jerry Sambuaga virtually during the 500k Eksportir Baru conference on Monday (19/4).

He said that President Joko Widodo instructed the Ministry of Trade to prioritize the finalization of international trade negotiations with potential countries. This is because Indonesia is transforming into a high-value products producer country which requires new markets outside of traditional countries or main trade partners.

Deputy Minister, Jerry Sambuaga added that Indonesia is finishing 23 international trade agreements. The small and medium business owners can use optimally various eases and facilities from the agreement in exporting their products. In addition, the small and medium businesses can also use the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Centre in promoting their products abroad. Currently, the Ministry of Trade has five FTA Centres in some cities namely Jakarta, Medan, Bandung, Surabaya, and Makassar.

Also, the ministry has 46 trade representatives abroad such as Trade Attaché, Indonesian Trade Promotion Centre, Trade Consul, Trade and Economy Office, as well as ambassadors in the World Trade Organization -WTO. The business owners can then contact the trade representatives to promote the products. Those trade representatives are assigned to explore trade agreements with buyers abroad.

On the same occasion, Director General of National Export Development, Kasan said that currently the exported Indonesian small medium business products are furniture, fishery, knitwork, and fruits. He also said that by optimally using various policies including the international trade agreement, it is expected that their export market reach can expand and Indonesian exported products can have more variations.