RI eyes Senegal trade ties

RI eyes Senegal trade ties

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is exploring the possibility of establishing trade ties with Senegal as part of efforts to expand its trade with African countries.

So far, the two countries had not had trade cooperation agreement to enhance two-way trade, Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) Committee for Islamic and Middle East countries, Muchrim Hakim, was quoted by Antara as saying on Friday.

The chamber would send a trade mission to the west African country next month to explore trade and tourism potentials the two countries could develop, he said.

Through trade ties between the two countries, Indonesia could import iron ore, cotton and raw materials for fertilizers from Senegal at lower prices, he said.

He said among the Indonesian goods which had good market prospects in Senegal were textiles, garments, shoes and household utensils.

To establish the trade ties with Senegal, Indonesia would seek loans totaling US$ 100 million to US$ 150 million from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), he said.