THE recent staging of the 2nd Indonesia Manufactured Product Expo (Impe) is seen to not only improve trade relations but tourism as well.
“We will not only showcase wide array of export quality Indonesian manufactured products but also people to people through tourism promotion of Wonderful Indonesia,” Indonesian consul general Berlian Napitupulu said on Friday, November 23, during the opening ceremonies of Impe at Abreeza Malls, Davao City.
Napitupulu said in tourism promotions, they are targeting both long-term and short term goals.
“Our short-term goal is to create an avenue where we can introduce Indonesian products to potential business partners, and to build a concrete outcome for the business negotiation. We hope that it will lead to our long term goal which is to create mutually beneficial, sustainable and long-term cooperation,” Napitupulu said.
For this year, the Impe has 14 booths owned by Indonesian companies ranging from wall panel, roofing, glassware, hand sprayers, fragrances, home finishing products, masks, beauty products, and Indonesian Batik.
Data from the Indonesian Consulate showed that trade between Philippines and Indonesia increased to US$7 billion in 2017 from $4 billion in 2016.
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.
The reports also showed total exports of Indonesian products to the Philippines from January to December last year amounted to $125 billion.