Indonesia, Finland to intensify trade, investment cooperation
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his visitng Finnish counterpart, Tarja Halonen, have agreed to intensify bilateral cooperation in the trade and investment sectors which has so far remained low.
"We have agreed to intensify trade and investment cooperation. The value of our two-way trade last year was still low, namely only US$550 million, while Finnish investment in Indonesia amounts to only US$2 million," Yudhoyono said at a joint press conference with Halonen at the Merdeka Palace on Monday.
The joint press conference was held as part of the Finnish President`s two-day state visit to Indonesia.
Yudhoyono added Finland was a potential market for Indonesian exports which so far had mostly gone to the United States, China and parts of Europe.
"I have asked our trade minister and the chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry to identify or find ways in which trade with Filand can be stepped up," he added.
President Halonen, meanwhile, noted Indonesia had huge natural resources that could be developed for the benefit of its people.
She said Finland had much international experience in the management (of natural resources) and would look into the possiility of sharing its experience with Indonesia.
She added Finland also wanted to intensify cooperation in many sectors with Indonesia.
Indonesian Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu, meanwhile, said opening trade relations with Finland would also mean opening opportunities to step up trade with the European region, Scandinavian nations and Russia.
The trade balance between Indonesia and Finland was now still in the latter`s favor as Indonesia`s imports from Finland totaled US$373 million and its exports to Finland US$177 million in 2007.
Pangestu said the Indonesian government was actually hoping that some big companies in Finland, including Nokia, would invest in Indonesia.
A meeting between Indonesian and Finnish trade ministry officials was scheduled to take place on Tuesday.(*)
"We have agreed to intensify trade and investment cooperation. The value of our two-way trade last year was still low, namely only US$550 million, while Finnish investment in Indonesia amounts to only US$2 million," Yudhoyono said at a joint press conference with Halonen at the Merdeka Palace on Monday.
The joint press conference was held as part of the Finnish President`s two-day state visit to Indonesia.
Yudhoyono added Finland was a potential market for Indonesian exports which so far had mostly gone to the United States, China and parts of Europe.
"I have asked our trade minister and the chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry to identify or find ways in which trade with Filand can be stepped up," he added.
President Halonen, meanwhile, noted Indonesia had huge natural resources that could be developed for the benefit of its people.
She said Finland had much international experience in the management (of natural resources) and would look into the possiility of sharing its experience with Indonesia.
She added Finland also wanted to intensify cooperation in many sectors with Indonesia.
Indonesian Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu, meanwhile, said opening trade relations with Finland would also mean opening opportunities to step up trade with the European region, Scandinavian nations and Russia.
The trade balance between Indonesia and Finland was now still in the latter`s favor as Indonesia`s imports from Finland totaled US$373 million and its exports to Finland US$177 million in 2007.
Pangestu said the Indonesian government was actually hoping that some big companies in Finland, including Nokia, would invest in Indonesia.
A meeting between Indonesian and Finnish trade ministry officials was scheduled to take place on Tuesday.(*)