TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Trade value between Indonesia and the U.S. may reach US$50 billion a year in the future. That number is almost twice of today's trade value between the two nations, which amounted to US$25.92 billion per year.

In the last five years, the total trade value grew by 0.39 percent. In 2017, America was the second biggest non-oil and gas export destination after China, with an export value of US$17.1 billion.

The Indonesian Ambassador to the United States Budi Bowoleksono said in Washington DC on Monday that achieving a trade volume of US$50 billion per year is not an ambitious goal, but was a very realistic target.

Moreover, he said, the Indonesian government has issued various policies in order to eliminate trade barriers.

When opening the "Business Plenary Forum" in Washington DC on Monday, Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita also expressed his optimism that the trade value between Jakarta and Washington could increase in the future.

The Trade Minister also reminded that currently trade with the US is providing greater profits and surpluses for the Indonesian economy.

The Indonesia-US trade totals at US$25.92 billion, with a surplus for Indonesia amounting to US$9.7 billion.

ANTARA