REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The governments of Indonesia and Poland seek to explore potential areas to forge economic cooperation between both nations. The idea was discussed through the Third RI-Poland Joint Consultation Forum.

Improving economic cooperation was the main topic of discussion at the third forum, as stated in a press statement received by Antara here on Friday.

Director General of America and Europe at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Muhammad Anshor, as chairman of the Indonesian delegation, emphasized the importance of exploring potential trade commodities of both countries.

The governments of Indonesia and Poland agreed to maintain consistent two-way trade and investment by promoting the participation of businesses and organizing business forums, among others.

In the Third Joint Consultation Forum, delegations of the two countries also discussed concrete follow-up of cooperation in the fields of energy, agriculture, defense, and maritime.

Indonesia specifically requested Poland to support the promotion of its sustainable palm oil in Europe and the acceleration of negotiations on the Indonesia-EU Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

Meanwhile, in a bid to improve people-to-people contacts, both sides agreed to enhance tourism, education, cultural, and interfaith dialogs.

Tighter competition in the EU region and conflict with Russia have made Poland forge cooperation with strategic partners in other regions, including Indonesia.

With economic growth reaching five percent in the last three years, Poland needs new markets while also providing opportunities for partner countries to further develop cooperation with the nation.

The total value of bilateral trade between Indonesia and Poland had reached US$525.62 million in 2017, an increase by 2.44 percent over the previous year, with Indonesia enjoying a trade surplus of $244.26 million.

The value of Polish investment in Indonesia also increased significantly in 2017 to reach $19.7 million spread across 22 projects, over the previous figure of $1.6 million covering 25 projects in 2016.

In order to support the increase in trade and investment value between both countries, on April 12, 2018, the RI-Poland Business Forum was held, which brought together 13 Polish entrepreneurs with their Indonesian partners.

In the tourism sector, the number of tourist arrivals from Poland in Indonesia had reached 30,236 in 2017.

Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika