Italo-Indonesian trade relations, investments and activities
Italo-Indonesian trade relations, investments and activities
During 1999, bilateral trade between Indonesia and Italy
continued to show a surplus of US$379 million in favor of
Indonesia. Data from the Central Board of Statistics indicate
that Indonesia exported to Italy sports shoes, textile yarns,
petroleum products, fixed vegetable oils and coal. The
commodities imported from Italy were mainly capital goods, such
as industrial equipment, textile and leather machinery and
refined petroleum products.
Despite the economic crisis, the Investment Coordinating Board
(BKPM) approved 10 Italian investment projects in 1999 for a
total amount of $3 million. The projects are to be carried out
mostly by small and medium Italian enterprises (SMEs) in the
sectors of ecotourism, furniture, hotels and services. To
encourage investments and joint ventures in industrial and
technological sectors, with special emphasis on cooperation
between SMEs of the two countries, an Italian investment desk has
been operating at BKPM's head office in Jakarta since 1997.
Indonesia and Italy have enjoyed a long relationship dating
back many years, reinforced by the presence of the Italian
Embassy and the Italian Trade Commission (ITC), a government
agency that promotes trade and investment between Italy and other
countries. The Jakarta ITC office opened in 1981 and provides
information and assistance to Indonesian companies interested in
dealing with potential Italian counterparts. The ITC represents a
major point of reference for SMEs and businesspeople looking for
trading partners and opportunities.
In the framework of its annual promotional program for 2000,
the ITC invited delegations of prominent Indonesian
businesspeople to visit some of the most important fairs in the
world which are held in Italy, like the International
Agricultural and Animal Farming Exhibition in Verona and the
International Exhibition of Shoes and Leather Goods Industry
Machinery in Bologna.
An Indonesian delegation is visiting the International Fair of
Marble Machinery in Carrara, where it will also have meetings
with the Italian Association Marmomacchine.
The ITC took part in Oil & Gas Technology Indonesia at the
Jakarta International Exhibition Center. We were present with a
so-called PUNTO ITALIA, representing 10 Italian companies with
the latest technology in the oil and gas sector.
In addition, we sent two Indonesian BKPM officials to attend a
two-month training course in Italy in foreign trade and
international cooperation (February-April, 2000).
We will also take part next week, together with the Italian
Association of Textile Machinery Producers (ACIMIT), in the 4th
edition of Bandung Tex 2000 (June 7 to June 11), where 18 Italian
companies will be present.
In today's highly competitive global market, the need to
improve the quality of production and to strengthen export-
oriented industries is one of Indonesia's top priority acts.
Italian capital goods, renowned worldwide for their high quality
as well as for flexibility and versatility, can definitely suit
the needs of Indonesian manufacturers.
Indonesian businesspeople seeking trade and investment
opportunities with Italy or looking for any information on
innovative Italian products, can contact our ITC office in
JAKARTA, Gedung BRI II, 19th Floor, Suite 1901, Jl. Jend.
Sudirman 44-46, Jakarta, 10210, tel: 5713560, fax: 5713561, e-
mail: icejkt@indosat.net.id, www.ice.it/estero/giacarta.
Augusto Di Giacinto,
Deputy Trade Commissioner