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Indonesia to hold 3-day expo in Davao

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/ 14 Nov.) – The Consulate General of Indonesia in Davao City will hold a three-day expo that will introduce some of its country’s quality export products.

Endah R. Yuliarti Farry, consul for information and sociocultural affairs, told Habi at Kape on Wednesday that 20 Indonesian manufacturers of construction and building materials, housewares, batik and fashion products, food and beverage, health care, beauty products, and agricultural machinery will be joining the expo.

The 2nd Indonesia Manufactured Products Expo will run from November 23 to 25, at the Abreeza Mall of the Ayala Malls where a one-on-one business matching, arts and cultural performances, and tourism promotions will also take place, she said.

She added the consulate will organize Indonesia-Philippines Business Networking Session at the Marco Polo Davao on November 22 with 20 Indonesian manufacturing firms looking for mutually beneficial concrete business cooperation with potential partners from Mindanao.

The consul noted the strong trade and investment ties between Indonesia and the Philippines that weave “common goals to prosperity” together.

She added bilateral relations between the two countries have grown significantly owing to the economic opportunities in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which ranked 6th worldwide in terms of combined gross domestic product of US $2.5 trillion in 2016, and the 4th largest trader after China, US, and Germany.

“But in terms of intra-trade, intra-investment, and intra tourist visits, ASEAN relies on other countries outside the region. Both our intra trade and investment are still low, and even on the tourism sector we’re still dominated by foreign visitors outside ASEAN countries,” the consul said.

She said the Indonesian government has seen a good opportunity to export to Mindanao and increase exchange of goods between the two countries.

She added small traders from Indonesia will participate in the ancient border trading in Mindanao which President Rodrigo R. Duterte has revived and is scheduled to restart early next year.

She told reporters on Wednesday that at least four provinces – North Sulwesi, East Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, and East Kalimantan — located at the borders of Indonesia can initially participate in the barter trade.

She said 11 other provinces of Indonesia may also be able to join the barter trading.

She said Indonesia’s participation is expected being a member of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area

Duterte signed an executive order last October 29 reviving barter trading.

It said BIMP-EAGA is “linked by a long history of trade and economic relations, with barter as a major form of commercial exchange.”

The government hopes the revival of the barter trade will not only create jobs and business opportunities but also strengthen trade and commerce between and among member-states of BIMP-EAGA.

The President also established the Mindanao Barter Council to supervise, coordinate, and harmonize policies, programs on barter in Southern Philippines.

The council will continue to perform its functions until the future Bangsamoro government is established.

Under the order, the secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry will be the council chair, while the MinDA chair and Bureau of Customs commissioner will serve as vice chairs. Representatives from the Finance, Foreign Affairs and Agriculture departments, DTI-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Maritime Industry Authority, Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine Ports Authority will sit as members. (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)

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