VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Republik of Indonesia, Retno LP Marsudi and the Customs Minister of the People's Republic of China, Ni Yue Feng signed the mangosteen trade protocol on Thursday (25/4). The signing was carried out on the sidelines of the International Cooperation Conference on nd2 Belt and Road Forum -BRF II. The signing of the mangosteen trade protocol was carried out after China has allowed Indonesia to re-export the fruit to China. Minister Retno Marsudi said that this collaboration is part of enhancing connectivity and investment. He explained that in essence, the protocol serves to remove obstacles to the export of these commodities. Since 2017, China has given permission, Indonesia again sends mangosteen to China with the largest population in the world, Minister Retno Marsudi also explained that besides mangosteen, Indonesia would also export dragon fruit to China.Minister Retno Marsudi noted that China is the biggest trading partner for Indonesia, with the trade value of both parties reaching US$70 billion dollars or around Rp990 trillion in 2018. Last year's trade value increased 23 percent compared to 2017. However, she views that Indonesia's trade deficit with China is still quite large. Thus, both countries have agreed to reduce deficits and to make trade more balanced and mutually beneficial. On this occasion, Minister Retno also said that Indonesia has facilitated the export of fruits from China such as mandarin oranges. Furthermore, Minister Retno Marsudi hopes that Minister Ni Yue Feng would provide assistance in finalizing Salak import from Indonesia, including the reduction in pineapple fruit tariffs so that bilateral trade would be more beneficial for both sides.Meanwhile, Minister Ni Yue Feng welcomed the request delivered by Minister Retno Marsudi. Minister Ni Yue also enjoyed the signing of the import protocol for mangosteen and dragon fruit from Indonesia.One day before, Minister Retno LP Marsudi also held a bilateral meeting with her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi discussing the issue of palm oil and various other issues. In terms of palm oil, Indonesia expects China to immediately realize its commitment to increase palm oil imports from Indonesia. So far, China has opened up its market to various Indonesian products, such as palm oil and fruits.