MANILA, July 28 — Indonesia is eyeing significant increase in trade with the Philippines in the next few years.
“We hope that in the future, our trade relations, investment relations will grow even better,” Budi Dhewajani, Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission at Indonesian Embassy in Manila, said in an interview.
Dhewajani cited the recently launched Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) interconnectivity route between Davao/General Santos and Bitung in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, which could pave the way for the promotion and shipment of more Filipino products to Indonesia and vice versa.
The Ro-Ro project, meant to reduce the travel time and cost in transporting goods between the two countries, was officially launched in Davao City by Indonesian and Philippine leaders after the 30th ASEAN Summit in Manila in April.
“Now, your government is also active promoting your trade to Indonesia. That is why we opened the Ro-Ro,” she said.
Dhewajani noted that Indonesia and the Philippines have been enjoying excellent bilateral ties since 1946, as reflected in different areas of cooperation including trade, tourism and investment partnerships.
“Our bilateral relations have been growing tremendously, not only because we are close neighbors, but because both of us are part of ASEAN,” she added.
Meanwhile, Indonesian small and medium enterprises (SMEs), travel operators and cultural performers participated in the two-day “Wonderful Indonesia Festival 2017” held in Manila that ended Friday. (Leslie D. Venzon/PNA)
