Jakarta,
May 13, 2017 (Antara) - The two-day state visit of President Veronica
Michelle Bachelet to Indonesia on May 12 and 13 was considered
significant because the Indonesian government has been trying to expand
the market for its products in South America.
Indonesia is expecting that Chile will serve as the gateway for its products to enter South America.
Indonesia is expecting that Chile will serve as the gateway for its products to enter South America.
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) warmly welcomed his counterpart at the
Merdeka Palace on May 12, where they had a bilateral meeting to discuss
efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between the countries,
particularly in the areas of economy, trade, maritime, socio-cultural,
and fisheries.
Jokowi said President Bachelet's visit to Indonesia came at an opportune time, as Indonesia has been intensifying trade and investment, and Chile is one of the priority countries.
Jokowi said President Bachelet's visit to Indonesia came at an opportune time, as Indonesia has been intensifying trade and investment, and Chile is one of the priority countries.
"Trade and investment issues are the main topics during the bilateral talks," he noted.
President Widodo lauded the business delegation accompanying President Bachelet.
"We have agreed that in future, bilateral cooperation will focus on
several fields, such as fishery, strategic industries, agriculture, and
the trade of agricultural products," he revealed.
Chile is Indonesia's third-largest trade partner in South America. In
2016, trade between Chile and Indonesia had reached US$227 million, with
Indonesia enjoying a surplus of $60.5 million.
Indonesia's main exports to Chile include footwear, apparel and
accessories, electrical machinery, rubber and paper. Meanwhile, Chile's
main exports to Indonesia include wood, charcoal, glass and glassware,
aluminum and foodstuff such as citrus fruits and fruit peel.
