VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The total trade value achieved during the implementation of Indonesia-Africa Forum 2018 –IAF reached transaction worth more than $2 billion dollars. This was stated by Minister of Trade, Enggartiasto Lukita at the closing of the forum which was attended by 575 delegates from 47 countries. Earlier, it was reported that on the first day of this forum, Indonesia and African countries had signed a business agreement with a value worth $586 million dollars. This amount increased on the second day. According to Minister Enggartiasto Lukita, on the second day of the implementation of Forum Africa 2018, there was a direct business transaction with a value reaching $499 million dollars. This amount does not include the potential value of existing business development, which may reach $1.3 billion dollars.

“In these two days, there were additional direct deals which reached almost $ 500 million dollars. So, besides $586 million dollars, there was $499.24 million dollars. I'm really looking for this to be $500 million. And it's a direct business deal going on. On top of it, there is a potential value worth $1.3 billion dollars. So, we are in a short time if you could say what is issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs to create $ over 2.3 billion dollars. This is a remarkable thing that can be reached in such a short time,” said Minister Enggartiasto Lukita.

In addition, Minister Enggartiasto Lukita added that during the implementation of the IAF 2018 , the government of Indonesia along with the government of Mozambique has launched a preliminary discussion for the establishment of Preferential Trade Agreement between the two countries. According to Minister Lukita, this will encourage the increased economic cooperation between the two parties as well as a liaison for the expansion of economic cooperation with the surrounding countries. Minister Enggartiasto Lukita also stated that the implementation of the IAF 2018 has shown real achievement. (VOI/Ndy/Trans by Rezha)