TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Trade minister Muhammad Lutfi said in a press release on Friday, August 29, 2014, that Russia had asked Indonesia to supply agricultural, meat, fish, dairy and vegetable products as the Russian government banned those from the United States, European Union, Norway, Canada and Australia.

Lutfi met the Economic Development Minister of the Russian Federation, Alexey Ulyukaev on the sidelines of the ASEAN Economic Ministers meeting in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.

The meeting was followed up immediately with a meeting between Indonesian and Russian business owners. Indonesia was represented by Deputy Chief of Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Indonesia Eximbank, Garuda Indonesia Airways, and business owners from palm oil, rubber and coffee sectors.

In the meeting, Lutfi said, Alexey Ulyukaev said that Indonesian could utilize Russian aircrafts to develop transportation network across Indonesia, particularly in remote areas. Russia would also develop aircraft equipment and maintenance in Indonesia.

Bachrul Chairi, director general of international trade cooperation at the Trade Ministry, said Russia was one of potential trade partners for Indonesia. In 2013, Russia was the 29^th top export destination. The growth of bilateral trading performance over the last 5 years was at 45.1 percent per year.

“In 2013, Indonesian main commodities exported to Russia included palm oil products and their derivatives, footwear, coffee, copra and natural rubber. Meanwhile, Indonesia imported metal and steel products, aircraft parts, military equipment, asbestos and wheat,” Bachrul said.

PINGIT ARIA