THE 2nd Indonesian Manufactured Products Expo (IMPE) on November 23 to 25 will encourage more direct trade between Indonesian businessmen and their Mindanawon counterparts.

“The second IMPE is aimed at increasing bilateral trade relations between Indonesia and the Philippines as well as Asean intra-trade relations,” Endah R. Yuliarti Farry, first secretary consul for information and socio-cultural affairs of Consulate General of Indonesia, said during a media forum at the Habi at Kape in Abreeza Mall Wednesday, November 14.

Farry said that in terms of trade, Philippines and Indonesia trade increased to over US$7 billion last year from $4 billion in 2015.

Based on the records of the Indonesian Consulate, Philippine imports from Indonesia grew by 37.86 percent to $6.35 billion in 2017 from $4.61 billion in 2016.

“Philippine exports to Indonesia also increased by 15.4 percent from $627.59 million in 2016 to $724.21 million in 2017. Indonesia is looking forward to increase trade and investment that benefit both countries,” Farry said.

She also said total exports of Indonesian products to the Philippines from January to December last year amounted to $125 billion.

“Both Indonesia and the Philippines have undertaken major efforts to strengthen their trade relations with the establishment of RoRo sea route connectivity between Davao and General Santos and Bitung which was launched by President Joko Widodo and President Rodrigo Duterte here in Davao in April 2017,” Farry said.

The second IMPE will bring more than 20 Indonesian companies that are into construction and building materials, housewares, batik and fashion products, food and beverage, healthcare, beauty products, and agricultural machinery.

Aside from the product exhibition, there will also be cultural performances and Indonesian food exhibit at the Indonesia Expo in Abreeza Mall Davao.