VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Trade Minister Meeting of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation -APEC was held for two days on May 25 – 26, 2018 in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea -PNG. The meeting resulted in some agreements, such as another access expansion for participation of all elements of Asia Pacific people in economic and trade activities, optimization of the use digital technology, internationalization of micro, small and middle enterprises, strengthening of connectivity throughout the region, and creation of inclusive and sustainable growth. Representing Indonesian Trade Minister, Director General of International Trade Negotiation at Trade Ministry, Iman Pambagyo welcomed APEC’s various initiatives and emphasized the importance of inclusive element in economic growth. He also wants all Indonesian people to get benefits from the economy as much as possible because the changing can encourage welfare distribution. PNG as the host of APEC 2018 carried a theme “Harnessing Inclusive Opportunities, Embracing the Digital Future”.

Indonesian handmade jewelries succeeded to attract visitors of  the 22nd International Jewelry Kobe (IJK) starting on May 16 until 18, 2018 in Kobe, Japan. The jewelries made Indonesian pavilion get attracted. This was stated by Head of Indonesian Trade Promotion Center (ITPC) Osaka, Ichwan Joesoef. The event was one of the biggest jewelry exhibitions in Japan. Indonesian Ministry of Trade through ITPC Osaka in cooperation with Indonesian Consulate General in Osaka facilitated 12 Indonesian brands in the exhibition this year. From the exhibition,  Indonesian pavilion recorded transaction and transaction potential more than 10 million yen or $90 thousand dollars.

Indonesia continues to expand export market for industrial products to European Union region. Some national manufacture products which are increasing the exports’ value are like foods and beverages, textile, cloths and foot-wears,  palm oil and its derivatives. The Indonesian and European Union economy has been synergized so far. Minister of industry, Airlangga Hartarto said that after receiving the visit of European Union Ambassador to Indonesia, Vincent Guerend in Jakarta on last Friday (25/5) that the commodity competitiveness between both parties is different so that they can complement each other. The Ministry of Industry recorded that total value of Indonesia-European Union trade in 2017 reached $25.2 billion dollars by Indonesian export to European Union worth $14.5 billion dollars and import around $10.7 billion dollars. So, the surplus was around $3.8 billion dollars. Meanwhile, investment value of European Union in Indonesia in 2016 reached $2.6 billion dollars, with 2,813 projects. To enhance bilateral economic cooperation, Minister Airlangga also encouraged acceleration of settlement of negotiation of Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA). The 4th negotiation of IEU-CEPA was conducted in February 2018 in Surakarta, Central Java. The 5th negotiation will be conducted in July 2018 in Brussels, Belgium.