INDONESIA, NIGERIA STEP UP DIRECT TRADE by Fardah

Jakarta, June 24, 2017 (Antara) - Indonesia and Nigeria, which are among the most populous countries in the world, realize they have untapped potential in the areas of trade and investment that are waiting to be explored further.  
   Besides this, Indonesia and Nigeria are two major economies in their regions, with economic advantages that complement each other.

        Hence, it is only natural for the trade and investment relations between the two countries to be forged and stepped up.

        Both countries are also aware that they need to address the fact that Indonesia's trade with Nigeria has, so far, been conducted through third parties, leading to inefficiency and additional costs.

        Direct trade will be more beneficial to both countries.

        Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi, during a visit to Nigeria on June 5, 2017, conveyed to Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who is also the country's acting president, that bilateral trade between both nations should be conducted directly, particularly in oil and gas.
   "The acting president of Nigeria agreed that direct trade is an attempt to reduce prices," the minister stated.
   The total value of trade between Indonesia and Nigeria in 2016 was recorded at US$1.5 billion.

INDONESIA'S ISLAMIC ORGANIZATIONS STRONGLY CONDEMN ABDUCTION OF NIGERIAN SCHOOLGIRLS by Fardah

    Jakarta, May 13, 2014 (Antara) - A number of leaders of Indonesian Islamic organizations gathered in the headquarters of the Indonesian Ulema (Islamic Scholars) Council (MUI) in Jakarta on May 12, 2014 to express condemnation against the abduction of hundreds of Nigerian schoolgirls by Boko Haram gang.

         "We strongly condemned the action," Abdullah Zaidi, the chairman of Al-Irsyad Al-Islamiyah, told the press on behalf of the other leaders.

         They stated the kidnappings were against the Islamic principles that forbid all kinds of violence against women and those who are innocent.