UAE to Become RI Export Gate to Middle East

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The government hopes the increase in exports to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) can open the door for exports to neighboring countries, including to the Middle East, Africa and Europe. 

Gusmalinda, the head of the Indonesian Trade Promotion Center (ITPC) in Dubai, said Indonesian products have proved to successfully lure businessmen from Dubai. As a trade hub for the Middle East and North Africa, the ITPC will keep increasing its trade penetration and export demands. 

“Indonesia’s exports to the UAE can hopefully increase as Dubai is a trade hub between the Middle East, African and European countries,” said Gusmalinda on Wednesday. 

Based on the Trade Ministry’s data, the total trade between Indonesia and the UAE on January-March 2015 reached US$830.8 million, with oil and gas sector contributing US$185.4 million and non-oil and gas sector US$654.5 million. 

Of the figures, Indonesia’s exports reach US$549.4 million, while imports from the UAE reach US$281.3 million. From those results, Indonesia gains a surplus of up to US$268.1 million. 

Furniture and interior design products are among the commodities expected to boost Indonesia’s exports. Gusmalinda said one of the opportunities for Indonesia to increase furniture exports is through participation in the 2015 International Design Exhibition (INDEX). 

BISNIS.COM