Participating In Expo 2020 Dubai, Indonesian Government Aims For Strengthening The National Economy Through Exports

Illustration (Photo: Courtesy)

JAKARTA - The government through the Ministry of Trade (Kemendag) confirmed that Indonesia will participate in the Expo 2020 Dubai event which will take place on October 1, 2021 - March 31, 2022.

The Director-General of National Export Development at the Ministry of Trade Didi Sumedi said attending this event was a golden opportunity to promote all trade, investment and tourism potentials in the world.

"Indonesia's participation in the Expo 2020 Dubai event is a golden opportunity because it brings many benefits, including strengthening Indonesia's economic growth," he said in a press statement quoted Friday, September 24.

According to Didi, this important step is in line with the launch of the Indonesia-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IUAE-CEPA) in Bogor, West Java on September 2, 2021.

"The IUAE-CEPA is Indonesia's first bilateral trade negotiation with trading partner countries in the Gulf region," he said.

Didi added, the Expo 2020 Dubai is an ideal place to continue to strengthen bilateral relations between Indonesia and the UAE in order to expand non-traditional export markets and become an international trade hub to the Middle East, Africa, and Europe market destinations.

"In addition to trade potential, Indonesia's participation in Expo 2020 Dubai is also expected to attract investment opportunities. This is the right moment to create a better investment climate supported by the readiness of supporting infrastructure, bureaucratic and regulatory reform, and improving the quality of human resources (HR)," he explained.

For information, Indonesia's total trade with the UAE in the January - June 2021 period was recorded at USD 1.85 billion.

Meanwhile, Indonesia's exports to the UAE in the same period were recorded at USD 852.26 million. Meanwhile, Indonesia's imports from the UAE in the same period were recorded at USD 1 billion.

Meanwhile, in 2020, the total trade between the two countries was recorded at USD 2.92 billion. Indonesia's exports to the UAE in 2020 were recorded at USD 1.24 billion, with Indonesia's imports from the UAE recorded at USD 1.68 billion.

"The support of various parties to the success of Indonesia's participation in Expo 2020 Dubai is very important so that Indonesia can get maximum benefits, especially for the economy. The synergy between government agencies and the private sector will maximize Indonesia's best potential," said Didi.

To note, Expo 2020 Dubai is part of the World Expo agenda which is the largest grand event in the world after the Olympics and the World Cup. After being delayed due to the pandemic in 2020, the exhibition in Arab lands will be attended by 192 countries from all over the world.

For Indonesia, participation in Expo 2020 Dubai is the eighth of participation in the World Expo. Previously, Indonesia had performed in Milan, Italy (2015); Shanghai, China (2010); Aichi, Japan (2005); Hannover, Germany (2000); Seville, Spain (1992); Osaka, Japan (1970); and New York, United States (1964).

The Indonesian Pavilion itself is supported by national partners, including Astra, Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDPKS), Gajah Tunggal, April, Wijaya Karya, and Indofood through sponsorships.