Minister Of Trade Lutfi Targets Indonesian Automotive Exports To Target South African Market

Minister of Trade, M. Lutfi. (Photo: Doc. Of the Ministry of Trade)

JAKARTA - Indonesia is now eyeing the potential for automotive commodity exports to the South African market. The Minister of Trade (Mendag) Muhammad Lutfi said that this potential is currently being pursued by Indonesia.

Not only South Africa, said Lutfi, Indonesia is seeking potential cooperation with Great Britain after leaving the European Union or Brexit and Canada.

"Custom Union in South Africa is important markets for our automotive. At the same time, like Great Britain and Canada, if the opportunity is good, we will catch up with a fast track," he said, during the Trade Outlook 2021 press conference, Friday, 29. January.

Lutfi explained that automotive is a commodity that the Ministry of Trade will promote in the future. Where in 2020, Indonesia's automotive exports recorded exports of 6.6 billion US dollars even though the growth was minus 19.36 percent and a market share of 4.3 percent.

"I underline there are several items that we will boost in the future. First, we want to boost the automotive and its spare parts for new destination countries to China, Brazil and Myanmar. This is a good part and we can take it to grow well," he said.

Lutfi said, the trade cooperation between Indonesia and Great Britain and Canada could be mutually beneficial. This is because the trade between the two countries does not compete with each other.

"Our economies with the two countries are complementary, not competitive and can complement each other. We think there are breakthroughs that we must see," he said.

However, Lutfi has not explained in more detail regarding the cooperation. Including what commodities will be exported and imported between countries.