Italy Eyes ASEAN for More Trade Cooperation
Translator
Editor
Kamis, 1 Januari 1970 07:00 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta made an official visit to Jakarta on November 27 to 28, in a bid to strengthen the relationship with ASEAN member states. He came as the president of the Italy-ASEAN Association which was established last year.
“This new association aims to strengthen the relationship between Italy and ASEAN. We want to make Italian entrepreneurs more aware of the opportunities here and bring them to invest in Indonesia and ASEAN,” he said at the Italian Residence on Monday.
According to Letta, he held a meeting with the ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh and they have agreed to organize two major events next year to commemorate the 50th anniversary of ASEAN. “We will have one event here in Jakarta in May next year and in Italy on the second part of the year,” he added.
Letta, who was the prime minister in 2013 to 2014, before the current Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, highlighted some sectors where they are strong, including automotive, fashion and food and beverages.
He asserted that there is more room for improvement in the trade relationship with Indonesia and other ASEAN member states. Despite some political issues in the region, Letta believes that it would not hinder Italian businessmen to come and invest.
The Italian Ambassador to Indonesia Vittorio Sandalli said that the total amount of trade with ASEAN countries is $10 million, while with Indonesia alone it is $3.2 million. “European Union is one of the biggest (trading) partners, but we would like to expand our presence here,” he said.
AMANDA SIDDHARTA