Indonesia, viable option for Nigeria’s rapid economic growth – Envoy
The Trade Director, Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Nigeria, Mr. Bagus Wicaksena, has disclosed in an exclusive interview with Vangaurd that the Republic of Indonesia maybe a viable option for Nigeria’s rapid economic recovery, saying that, Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country’s trade relations with Indonesia, stand to reach a lofty, enviable economic growth.
Trade Director, Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Nigeria, Mr. Bagus Wicaksena,
He also said that his country is willing to partner Nigeria to grow its economy by way of investing in several key sectors of the Nigerian economy, including the desire to establish processing mills in the country and other win-win trade cooperation.
Excerpt;
How do you intend to enhance trade between Indonesia and Nigeria?
It is team work here at the Embassy of Indonesia Trade Promotion Center (ITPC) and we are basically working at different capacities to ensure better and prosperous business ground between Nigeria and Indonesia.
I can say that that Indonesia holds a huge potential for economic relations with Nigeria. Interestingly, there have been series of programs to promote our two countries trade relations, coming with initiations and negotiations by the Indonesia government to be more close to Nigeria.
I know Africa, with particular reference to Nigeria provides a lot of opportunities for one to learn from and having been posted to work here, backed with lots of experience sharing from my predecessors, which of course have been very helpful, I am encouraged to talk more about trade and how the Trade Mission can positively impact and increase Indonesia exports to Nigeria and other West African countries.
In line with this, have been successful exhibitions and business meetings and we often have Indonesia companies come here to actively participate in business forums with Nigerians.
Also, we have been more committed to ensuring that Nigerian business communities are provided with updated information on business dealings with Indonesia.
We are not relenting in efforts to directing Indonesian companies to invest in Nigeria as well as promoting Indonesian products to Nigeria business partners.
However, we are working together with the Nigerian government to get the right policies, directions and so on for better trade relations between our two countries. These and more are things I would actually want to achieve during my tenure as the Embassy of Indonesia Trade Director to Nigeria and some other West African countries under my jurisdiction.
You said your primary aim is on how to increase trade relations between Indonesia and Nigeria. Can you explain how trade with Indonesia can benefit Nigeria?
When people do trade, of course the first thing that comes to mind is progress and mutually benefitting outcomes. Indonesia has a number of best quality products and at better prices too to offer Nigeria. We do not compromise on our quality standard no matter the pressure, for a fact that we first put into consideration, peoples’ wellbeing.
The second thing Nigeria can also benefit from our relations is knowledge transfer in relation to products quality and so on. I have always known that trade is the gateway to any nation’s economic progression.
Through healthy bi-trade both parties are capable of creating value added knowledge, technology, etc.
However, we have successful Indonesia companies operating in Nigeria and have provided employment to a great number of Nigerians and I am hopeful that more companies will join suit, following the many investment negotiations between both governments.
Nigeria’s crude oil has been one of our country’s largest import products, and despite the falling oil price in the international market, which has not been too favorable, we still import the same volume of crude from Nigeria, an indication of better partnership.
Meanwhile, I will implore Nigeria, even as we go on with a healthy diplomatic relations to ensure we balance our trade relations. As we get quality oil from you, it will be good also for you to get quality products from us. This is the spirit of balanced trading.
For instance, Indonesia is one of the biggest tyre producing country in the world and for the fact that we cannot compromise our quality standard, many Nigerians tend to look the other way and go for substandard ones.
Although in some cases, Nigeria’s diversion from buying from us affects our trade figures with Nigeria, even as the number is still promising in the last decades and with our competitors, our need in Nigeria is growing.
At ITPC, we have to ensure we promote trade between our two countries and ensure that the trade bilateral is balanced. And I must bring to your knowledge that our country imports so much crude oil from Nigeria.
At least for last year, our trade volume reached $4.145 billion dollars. So it is in our spirit to make trade between Nigeria and Indonesia balanced. If we buy your oil with our own money, you are supposed to buy things from us so that it will be balanced. Win-Win situation is the spirit for any government.
In simple terms, what Nigeria has spent so far in trading with Indonesia is not up to half of Indonesia trade with Nigeria.
Nigeria is Indonesia’s second largest trade partner in Africa after South Africa and we are strongly committed in efforts to educating Nigerians more on the importance of embracing both quality items and healthy consumable products, many of which Indonesia has.
Our export value from January to November 2018 was $378 billion dollars, amounting to 11 per cent growth. In 2018, Nigeria’s import growth to Indonesia was 17 per cent, while Indonesia importation growth to Nigeria for oil products was 103 per cent and 125 per cent for non oil products.
How friendly is your trade policy to Nigerian traders?
I will say that trade, as one of the gate ways to cooperation between two countries should be guided and handled with more friendly approach. We have most friendly trade policy and we try to offer Nigerian traders better and trusted atmosphere to thrive.
We go extra mile to conducting a Business to Business meeting between Nigerians and Indonesian to get to know what they want and what we offer.
I think if you talk about trade prospective and benefits for Nigerians, including the knowledge transfer, technology transfer and so on, Indonesia leads and this I am optimistic is best way to open the way for a long term and stronger economic advancement and or growing trade ties, including also facilitation of enhanced, balanced and sustainable trade relations.
Where do you have strong trade muscles?
If you look at the historical records, Indonesia is still leading in CPOs products, paper and paper products. We also have energy in some parts of advanced machineries, pharmaceutical, fish processed products, textiles and foot wears, including also pipeline products for Nigeria oil industries and chemical products for plastics and so on.
There are over 15 Indonesian companies currently operating in Nigeria, such as Indorama, Indofood, Kalbe Farma, and Wings. Indofood for example, had established instant noodle factory in Nigeria since 1995 where Indomie has become a popular brand and have the largest instant noodles manufacturing plant in Africa.
It is worthy of note that Indonesia, the world’s 4th most populous nation, is also the world’s 16 most prosperous country and we would like to go all the way with Nigeria because of our similarities.
Also, our exports include machinery and equipment. We are the world’s largest producer of palm oil, second largest producer of cassava, and third largest rice producer. Other major Indonesian exports are oil and gas, electrical appliances, plywood, rubber, and textiles.
It may interest you to know that one of our companies, BTWIKA, is one of the quite aggressive companies that is expanding to global markets and has notable projects presently going on in Nigeria with unequalled stride.
How often do you create awareness on your activities in Nigeria?
I think it is an aspect we have to do more on. It is important we often introduce ITCP mission to Nigerians. Although, the embassy in Abuja does more of media invites and some exchange programs, we are also enhancing our partnership with the Nigeria media.
Interestingly, Nigeria and Indonesia are natural partners with many commonalities. They both have huge economic potential, shared ideals and strong sense of responsibility and as true partners we both strive to deepen our two countries relations, with particular reference on trade.
We have done some capacity building workshops and have ensured we encourage more Indonesia companies to invest in Nigeria.
We are trying to be more aggressive, more focused in our dealings because we believe that such commitment and partnership are boosters to countries trade relations.
Also, we severally dialogue in everything that involves Nigeria and both countries governments often sit together to find and actualise new business tracks.
Already in existence, are various forums of the Indonesia-Africa Infrastructure Dialogue and we have consistently and effectively done some trade missions, where our Minister of Trade in the company of some CEOs of Indonesia companies and high officials come for a trade mission to deliberate on trade relations with Nigeria.
We recently, concluded an expo on building materials at major Nigerian markets and it was an outreach most delightful and successful.
Anytime soon Indonesia will convene the Indonesia-Africa Infrastructure Dialogue in Jarkata. The forum will be hosted by our Foreign Affairs Minister and will have in attendance 54 African Heads of Trade to talk about infrastructures and collaborations that will lead to super Win-Win trade cooperation for better African economies.
Source:https://samueljackson12.blogspot.com/2019/04/indonesia-viable-option-for-nigerias.html
Trade Director, Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Nigeria, Mr. Bagus Wicaksena,
He also said that his country is willing to partner Nigeria to grow its economy by way of investing in several key sectors of the Nigerian economy, including the desire to establish processing mills in the country and other win-win trade cooperation.
Excerpt;
How do you intend to enhance trade between Indonesia and Nigeria?
It is team work here at the Embassy of Indonesia Trade Promotion Center (ITPC) and we are basically working at different capacities to ensure better and prosperous business ground between Nigeria and Indonesia.
I can say that that Indonesia holds a huge potential for economic relations with Nigeria. Interestingly, there have been series of programs to promote our two countries trade relations, coming with initiations and negotiations by the Indonesia government to be more close to Nigeria.
I know Africa, with particular reference to Nigeria provides a lot of opportunities for one to learn from and having been posted to work here, backed with lots of experience sharing from my predecessors, which of course have been very helpful, I am encouraged to talk more about trade and how the Trade Mission can positively impact and increase Indonesia exports to Nigeria and other West African countries.
In line with this, have been successful exhibitions and business meetings and we often have Indonesia companies come here to actively participate in business forums with Nigerians.
Also, we have been more committed to ensuring that Nigerian business communities are provided with updated information on business dealings with Indonesia.
We are not relenting in efforts to directing Indonesian companies to invest in Nigeria as well as promoting Indonesian products to Nigeria business partners.
However, we are working together with the Nigerian government to get the right policies, directions and so on for better trade relations between our two countries. These and more are things I would actually want to achieve during my tenure as the Embassy of Indonesia Trade Director to Nigeria and some other West African countries under my jurisdiction.
You said your primary aim is on how to increase trade relations between Indonesia and Nigeria. Can you explain how trade with Indonesia can benefit Nigeria?
When people do trade, of course the first thing that comes to mind is progress and mutually benefitting outcomes. Indonesia has a number of best quality products and at better prices too to offer Nigeria. We do not compromise on our quality standard no matter the pressure, for a fact that we first put into consideration, peoples’ wellbeing.
The second thing Nigeria can also benefit from our relations is knowledge transfer in relation to products quality and so on. I have always known that trade is the gateway to any nation’s economic progression.
Through healthy bi-trade both parties are capable of creating value added knowledge, technology, etc.
However, we have successful Indonesia companies operating in Nigeria and have provided employment to a great number of Nigerians and I am hopeful that more companies will join suit, following the many investment negotiations between both governments.
Nigeria’s crude oil has been one of our country’s largest import products, and despite the falling oil price in the international market, which has not been too favorable, we still import the same volume of crude from Nigeria, an indication of better partnership.
Meanwhile, I will implore Nigeria, even as we go on with a healthy diplomatic relations to ensure we balance our trade relations. As we get quality oil from you, it will be good also for you to get quality products from us. This is the spirit of balanced trading.
For instance, Indonesia is one of the biggest tyre producing country in the world and for the fact that we cannot compromise our quality standard, many Nigerians tend to look the other way and go for substandard ones.
Although in some cases, Nigeria’s diversion from buying from us affects our trade figures with Nigeria, even as the number is still promising in the last decades and with our competitors, our need in Nigeria is growing.
At ITPC, we have to ensure we promote trade between our two countries and ensure that the trade bilateral is balanced. And I must bring to your knowledge that our country imports so much crude oil from Nigeria.
At least for last year, our trade volume reached $4.145 billion dollars. So it is in our spirit to make trade between Nigeria and Indonesia balanced. If we buy your oil with our own money, you are supposed to buy things from us so that it will be balanced. Win-Win situation is the spirit for any government.
In simple terms, what Nigeria has spent so far in trading with Indonesia is not up to half of Indonesia trade with Nigeria.
Nigeria is Indonesia’s second largest trade partner in Africa after South Africa and we are strongly committed in efforts to educating Nigerians more on the importance of embracing both quality items and healthy consumable products, many of which Indonesia has.
Our export value from January to November 2018 was $378 billion dollars, amounting to 11 per cent growth. In 2018, Nigeria’s import growth to Indonesia was 17 per cent, while Indonesia importation growth to Nigeria for oil products was 103 per cent and 125 per cent for non oil products.
How friendly is your trade policy to Nigerian traders?
I will say that trade, as one of the gate ways to cooperation between two countries should be guided and handled with more friendly approach. We have most friendly trade policy and we try to offer Nigerian traders better and trusted atmosphere to thrive.
We go extra mile to conducting a Business to Business meeting between Nigerians and Indonesian to get to know what they want and what we offer.
I think if you talk about trade prospective and benefits for Nigerians, including the knowledge transfer, technology transfer and so on, Indonesia leads and this I am optimistic is best way to open the way for a long term and stronger economic advancement and or growing trade ties, including also facilitation of enhanced, balanced and sustainable trade relations.
Where do you have strong trade muscles?
If you look at the historical records, Indonesia is still leading in CPOs products, paper and paper products. We also have energy in some parts of advanced machineries, pharmaceutical, fish processed products, textiles and foot wears, including also pipeline products for Nigeria oil industries and chemical products for plastics and so on.
There are over 15 Indonesian companies currently operating in Nigeria, such as Indorama, Indofood, Kalbe Farma, and Wings. Indofood for example, had established instant noodle factory in Nigeria since 1995 where Indomie has become a popular brand and have the largest instant noodles manufacturing plant in Africa.
It is worthy of note that Indonesia, the world’s 4th most populous nation, is also the world’s 16 most prosperous country and we would like to go all the way with Nigeria because of our similarities.
Also, our exports include machinery and equipment. We are the world’s largest producer of palm oil, second largest producer of cassava, and third largest rice producer. Other major Indonesian exports are oil and gas, electrical appliances, plywood, rubber, and textiles.
It may interest you to know that one of our companies, BTWIKA, is one of the quite aggressive companies that is expanding to global markets and has notable projects presently going on in Nigeria with unequalled stride.
How often do you create awareness on your activities in Nigeria?
I think it is an aspect we have to do more on. It is important we often introduce ITCP mission to Nigerians. Although, the embassy in Abuja does more of media invites and some exchange programs, we are also enhancing our partnership with the Nigeria media.
Interestingly, Nigeria and Indonesia are natural partners with many commonalities. They both have huge economic potential, shared ideals and strong sense of responsibility and as true partners we both strive to deepen our two countries relations, with particular reference on trade.
We have done some capacity building workshops and have ensured we encourage more Indonesia companies to invest in Nigeria.
We are trying to be more aggressive, more focused in our dealings because we believe that such commitment and partnership are boosters to countries trade relations.
Also, we severally dialogue in everything that involves Nigeria and both countries governments often sit together to find and actualise new business tracks.
Already in existence, are various forums of the Indonesia-Africa Infrastructure Dialogue and we have consistently and effectively done some trade missions, where our Minister of Trade in the company of some CEOs of Indonesia companies and high officials come for a trade mission to deliberate on trade relations with Nigeria.
We recently, concluded an expo on building materials at major Nigerian markets and it was an outreach most delightful and successful.
Anytime soon Indonesia will convene the Indonesia-Africa Infrastructure Dialogue in Jarkata. The forum will be hosted by our Foreign Affairs Minister and will have in attendance 54 African Heads of Trade to talk about infrastructures and collaborations that will lead to super Win-Win trade cooperation for better African economies.
Source:https://samueljackson12.blogspot.com/2019/04/indonesia-viable-option-for-nigerias.html
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