Trade Mission With Australia, The Ministry Of Trade Aims For USD 2.4 Million Transactions

Director General of National Export Development of the Ministry of Trade (Kemendag) Dody Edward (center), during a visit to Australia. (Photo: Ministry of Trade)

JAKARTA - The trade mission carried out by Indonesia at the Indonesia-Australia Business Forum resulted in a potential transaction value of US $ 2.4 million.

"This activity generates a potential B-to-B transaction value of US $ 2.4 million for food products and cooking spices, coffee, fishery products, furniture and wood products," said the Director General of National Export Development at the Ministry of Trade (Kemendag) Dody. Edward represented the Minister of Trade in a statement received on Friday, February 14.

In this trade mission, 10 Indonesian companies actively participated from various sectors, namely wood, furniture, home decor, crafts, food and beverages, coffee, fertilizers, and electronic commerce (e-commerce).

Dody explained that this transaction will continue to grow in line with the achievement of trade agreements, which are currently in the process of negotiating business to business.

In a series of trade missions to Australia on February 12, 2020, Dody and Indonesian business people also had the opportunity to visit the tofu and tempe industry that was successfully developed by the Indonesian diaspora in Sydney, namely Nutrisoy.

Tofu and tempeh products have considerable potential in the Australian market considering that most Australians are starting to realize healthy living and reduce their consumption of meat.

Nutrisoy's market share is currently 90 percent marketed in Australia. Meanwhile, 10 percent is for exports to New Zealand, New Caledonia, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.

Nutrisoy produces Indonesian specialties (tofu and tempeh) which are very popular with the Australian people. "We hope that Nutrisoy can carry out a promotion to introduce Indonesian products more widely, especially in restaurants and supermarkets so that the Australian public knows Indonesian products," said Dody.

In addition to Nutrisoy, the Director General of National Export Development and the entourage also visited an Indonesian importer engaged in timber and building materials, namely Innovative Timber Ideas (ITI) and discussed export opportunities for Indonesian products and barriers.

Currently, ITI imports wood products in the form of decking and timber to be marketed to shops and building depots in Australia. "Indonesian wood products have met the regulations and certifications requested by the Australian party, including SVLK," explained Dody.

ITI is one of the recipients of the Primaduta Award given by President Joko Widodo at the 2019 Trade Expo Indonesia. Primaduta Award is an award given to foreign companies that are loyal to importing products from Indonesia.