Jakarta, Kominfo – Newsroom - Vice President Jusuf Kalla asked the Indonesia Embassy in Vietnam to intensively step up cooperation, particularly in boosting production of food commodities.
“The Vice President asked us to consolidate cooperation, notably stepping up of foodstuff production, such as rice,” said Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam Pitono Purnomo to the press after meeting Vice President Jusuf Kalla at his office here Monday (14/4).
Today Vietnam is a major producer of foodstuffs, particularly rice.
He also asked the Indonesian embassy to do market research so that Indonesian products could penetrate the world market. Also, Indonesia is determined to boost export of its non-oil-and-gas commodities. Study of consumer taste in Vietnam is likewise of major importance.
In 2007, trade volume between Vietnam and Indonesia totalled more than USD 2 billion. And this, according to the vice president, could be boosted.
Based on results of the market survey, Indonesia will have an idea of its marketing strengths and weaknesses.
Vice president asked Indonesia to increase trade surplus with Vietnam up to 15 percent by way of exporting electronic products, computer components as well as iron and steel products.
Indonesia and Vietnam both are producers of plantation products, such as coffee, At the moment Vietnam has a bigger export volume than Indonesia. “Perhaps we can cooperate,” he said.
“In 2008, we expect to increase trade volume with Vietnam by 15%,” said the ambassador.
Vietnam has now become a potential market for Japan. This means Indonesia has to step up the quality of its products so that it can complete with Vietnam. (T.ww/toeb/myg/ton)