Abang Abdul Karim (third left), Yoni (second left) and others at the press conference held at a leading hotel today.
KUCHING: Sarawak and Indonesia recorded an increase of 87 per cent in its total trade value to US$606 million last year compared with US$323 million in 2016.
Between Sarawak and West Kalimantan Indonesia specifically, a total of US$120 million of trade value had been recorded in 2017 with Indonesia exporting US$83 million and importing US$36 million worth of goods and services to and from Sarawak.
“We aim to further increase the trade volume between Sarawak and West Kalimantan as it will bring benefits to both nations,” Sarawak Business Federation (SBF) president Datuk Abang Abdul Karim Tun Openg said during press conference on the state government business mission to Jakarta and Bandung, Indonesia at a leading hotel here today.
“By 2025, Indonesia will be the fifth biggest economy in the world,” he said when commenting on the potential of both nations potentials.
Indonesia Consul General in Kuching Yoni Tri Prayitno also hoped that the trade mission will play a role in removing the existing trade barriers between the Sarawak and Indonesia besides promoting tourism along the borders.
On infrastructure development, Abang Abdul Karim said that the Sarawak government is emphasising on such development in the rural areas so that the benefits from Sarawak rich natural resources can be maximised.
On a separate note, he said that the Sarawak government will also be looking at compiling and updating statistics on economics data so that the government can strengthen the weaknesses in the state economy.
The 60 people delegation to Indonesia comprises the private and public sectors and Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg will lead the delegation.
The trade mission will witness six signings of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between companies from Sarawak and Indonesia.
The trade mission was organised by SBF, Dewan Usahawan Bumiputera Sarawak and The Consulate Republic of Indonesia in conjunction with 33rd Trade Expo Indonesia from Oct 24 to Oct 28.