TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Businessmen have welcomed the government plan to establish trade negotiations with Israel. The two countries currently have no diplomatic relations.
“We shall separate political and economic affairs; don’t let them intertwined. Why don’t we explore economic affairs?” the Indonesian Businessmen Association (Apindo) International Relations and Investment director Shinta Widjaja Kamdani told Tempo yesterday.
Shinta pointed to the example of Indonesia’s economic and trade relations with Taiwan despite the lack of political relations. According to her, the potential of the Indonesian and Israeli business and economic relations is significant. “So, as long as both parties can profit from it, why not?”
Shinta said that Indonesian and Israeli businessmen have been engaging in trade through third countries. “For example, through Singapore or the United States,” she said, adding that despite the lack of diplomatic relations, a trade office may be established. “It may be done chamber to chamber or via a trade office,” she said.
She said that the two countries may engage in agriculture, IT and software business. “They are known for advanced technology,” she said.
Meanwhile, Shinta said Indonesia may offer food and beverages, textile products, footwear and palm oil.
GHOIDA RAHMAH
