Indonesia seeks to expand trade with Middle East; H1 2006 trade with the UAE at US$ 662 million

Addressing a press conference to announce participation in International Autumn Trade Fair 06, Consul General of Indonesia in Dubai and official of NAFED, Indonesia said the UAE was the single largest market for Indonesia followed by Saudi Arabia in the GCC.

Commenting on the prospects to boost trade further with the UAE and the region, Mr. Muchtar, Consul General of Indonesia, said, "There has been a consistent rise in trade with the UAE and the Middle East over the last five years, and we are taking steps to build further on this economic partnership, focusing on trade, tourism and investments. Our participation at the Middle East's largest consumer goods fair, International Autumn Trade Fair 2006 (IATF06), is one of the steps in the direction of getting closer to the market and deepening our economic partnership with the UAE and the region.'

Indonesian Solo Exhibition will run concurrently with IATF'06 at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre (DICEC) from December 17 - 20 2006.

Elaborating on the increasing potential for trade with the region, Mr. Muchtar said that exports to the UAE and the region has risen faster over the last five years with some 3,000 products of Indonesia in the market. "Indonesian exports to Middle Eastern countries in 2005 touched US$2.3 billion, up from US$1.8 billion in 2001. We see the trade growth continue to grow further and along with it, we are also taking steps to boost investment flows between key GCC countries, including the UAE and Indonesia."

Indonesia mainly exports wood and wood products, textiles and textile products, plastic products, machinery, rubber, pulp, base metal, pearl, leather products, food stuff etc to the UAE and the region. The imports from the UAEUA include acrylic hydrocarbons, acyclic hydrocarbon, aluminium, sugar, wheat and oil cake. In the UAE, Indonesia has a 17 per cent market share in wood and wood products.

Mr, Muchtar said the fourth edition of Indonesian Solo Exhibition (ISE), a well-established expo will display an array of Indonesian products and services. "Over 200 companies are taking part in ISE, the largest ever Indonesian exhibition ever held in the Gulf region. The large participation in itself is an indication of the rising potential for bilateral trade between Indonesia and the region."

ISE, which will run concurrently with IATF06, is being jointly organised by the National Agency for Export Development (NAFED) of the Indonesian Government's Ministry of Trade, in close cooperation with the Indonesian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Indonesian Consulate General in Dubai.

Commenting on the debut participation of Indonesia at IATF06, Mr. Satish Khanna, General Manager, Al Fajer Information and Services, organisers of the show, said, "The decision by Indonesian trade authorities to join the International Autumn Trade Fair is a salient reflection of the effectiveness of the show. Over the last 20 editions, IATF has carved a niche for itself as an expo which offers participants a wider reach and a comprehensive interactive platform for trade.

'This year's show comes at a time of robust economic regional growth and rise in spending power which in turn has a positive impact on the consumer goods sector. In this context, IATF06 will be a significant opportunity for trade to enhance their reach in the regional market."

He said the rising prospects for trade in the region have catalysed participation in this year's expo by 25 per cent. The fair will host 750 companies representing 25 countries compared to last year's participation of 588 exhibitors from 23 countries.

"This year we are looking at increased visitor participation at IATF in line with the rise in opportunities for consumer goods in the UAE and the regional market," Mr. Khanna added.

This year IATF is expected to attract around 22,000 trade buyers this year compared to some 21,000 last year. IATF06 will also include 'Style in Hong Kong in Dubai,' organised under the banner of Hong Kong Trade Development Council. 'Style Hong Kong in Dubai' - the largest expo of Hong Kong products showcased in the Middle East will be participating for the third consecutive year on a larger scale with 230 exhibitors.

The popular four-day IATF06 this year will host the official national pavilions of seven countries, occupying 80 per cent of the 18,500-square metre exhibition space. The national pavilions include 150 exhibitors from China, 175 from Hong Kong, 15 from Bangladesh, 50 from Ghana, 60 from Singapore, 50 from Korea & 200 from Indonesia. Other countries participating at IATF06 at individual levels include Croatia, Italy, Malaysia, Turkey, UAE, India, Poland, Vietnam etc.

Other participants at the show include Bangladesh, which is taking part at the show for the 10th time, under the banner of Export Promotion Bureau of Bangladesh and Ghana which is participating for the first time under the banner of Ghana Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry under the sponsorship of Association of Ghana Industries, Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Ghana Trade Fair Authority.

IATF06 will unveil an exciting mix of products comprising cosmetics, foodstuffs, electronics, household appliances, plastic household products, toys, stationery, electrical items, handicrafts, carpets, garments, textiles, house ware, kitchen ware, sanitary ware, novelties, machinery, machine tools, hardware accessories and diary products.