The Indonesian Embassy in Madrid facilitated five business agendas between the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Spanish-Portugal Bilateral Committee with Spanish companies as an effort to create a new chapter in economic relations of both countries. The Indonesian Embassy in Madrid in its official statement received by Antara in Jakarta on Wednesday (6/3) stated that the Indonesian Embassy in Madrid welcomed the mission of the newly formed Spanish-Portugal Bilateral Committee, and Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as a breakthrough in cooperation between Indonesia and Spain, particularly in the fields of trade, investment and tourism. The activities to expand economic relations between Indonesia and Spain began with a business forum with 21 Spanish companies operating in the energy, animal feed, fishery, agriculture, chemical, hospital, consumer goods, export and import, property, construction and technology sectors.
The business forum which took place in the Indonesian Embassy Hall in Madrid was also attended by the Spanish Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Spanish-ASEAN business association, as well as representatives from the embassies of ASEAN countries in Madrid. The forum was also utilized by both the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce delegation and the Spanish business world in building a business network that can be developed in the future. The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry also met with Spainish Chamber of Commerce and Industry to discuss a memorandum of understanding on cooperation of both sides. Moreover, the Spanish chamber also proposed the formation of an Indonesia-Spain Business Council. If realized, the bilateral business council will be the first in Southeast Asia. A meeting with the Spanish-ASEAN Entrepreneurs Association was also held to discuss exploring potential cooperation that could be carried out by Spanish entrepreneurs in Indonesia, including Government policies and the economic situation in Indonesia.
Furthermore, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry also visited the Instituto Empresarial University Business School campus in Madrid to open up opportunities for collaboration. Instituto Empresarial University is interested in collaborating with the Education Fund Management Institute so that the current number of seven Indonesian students can be increased to at least 40 in the future. The Indonesian Chamber’s delegation closed a business mission to Spain by visiting Montecastro, a leading vineyard in the Aranda del Duero region in Valladolid Province. It is hoped that the visit will help introduce the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce to the quality of wine in Spain and can open investment and trade opportunities with the wine industry in Indonesia.