By Vera Samuel Anyagafu
The Indonesia Trade Promotion Center’s Director, Mr. Nino Wawan Setiawan, while ventilating new ideas to strengthening Nigeria-Indonesia bi-national relationships, especially in the key sectors of both countries’ economies, expressed that improvement and expansion of both countries exports and imports are quite vital to progressive economic growth for the two countries.

In this interview, Nino who was expressive in disclosing ITPC’s interest to solidifying trade relationship with Nigeria pointed out that the Indonesia-Nigeria business gathering is one among the many intended platform to consolidating business partnership between Nigerian and Indonesian businessmen, adding that his country will ever remain committed to efforts towards better bi-national relationships with the Nigerian government. Excerpts:

Nino Wawan Setiawan

TO what extent can you describe bilateral trade relationship between the two countries?

I can say that bilateral trade relationship between Indonesia and Nigeria is very cordial because both countries have some similarities in terms of natural resources in agro-commodities and oil and gas and Ministers of our two countries have met, have had discussions and bilateral agreements and have agreed that technical teams from the two countries will come together and put together a strategic plan for both Nigeria and Indonesia. This plan will be implemented very soon.

Current level of trade

The Minister for Trade has said “One of the major things that we want to do in the nearest future is how to work out a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between Nigeria and Indonesia so that we can increase the current level of trade and investment in both countries. Hopefully, this will come into effect very soon”. In 2014 total trade relation between Indonesia and Nigeria hit US$ 3.9 billion. This is a 7.45 % increase if we compare with 2013. But the trade relation is still deficit for Indonesia, and that is why we are here to encourage Indonesian Export to Nigeria.

What is the mission and vision of Indonesian Trade Promotion Centre in Nigeria?

Our mission and vision is to ensure development, improvement and expansion of export of Indonesian Products in Nigeria, West Africa and the world as a whole. Also, we intend to link and hook up potential traders from the two countries.

We understand you assumed office earlier this year. As the ITPC’s Director, what are your plans for increasing trade between Nigeria and Indonesia?

One way I intend to do this is by organizing business gatherings such as this, invite Indonesian stakeholders from various sectors of the economy to Nigeria for a ‘Business to Business’ meeting with their different products. Meetings such as these create an extensive awareness of how standardized, durable and cost effective Indonesian products are. Interestingly there is another upcoming event, which is the annual Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI) in Kemayoran, Indonesia.

This Expo is one of Indonesia’s largest annual B to B export products Expo. It features both quality and competitive products of world class standard which have met with the global market. We also plan to make Indonesian House in some countries in West Africa as trading gate between Indonesia and West African Countries. We in ITPC Lagos are ready to facilitate all trade relations between Nigerian and Indonesian entrepreneurs.

What does ITPC intend to achieve through the Indonesia-Nigeria business gathering?

What ITPC intends to achieve through this Indonesia – Nigeria business gathering is introducing Indonesia in general to the world of business in Nigeria, to reconcile manufacturers directly to importers or distributors, to build a large business network in Nigeria.

Business network

It is also a business activity aimed to promote more about the products made in Indonesia to the business communities in Nigeria. And lastly, to publicize, promote activities of the Republic of Indonesia in Nigeria and also to look for potential investors from Nigeria.

What is the volume of non-oil trade between Nigeria and Indonesia and what is the volume of oil imports from Nigeria by Indonesia?

In 2014, Nigeria – Indonesia trade volume currently stands at about $3.9 billion. This is a 7.4 per cent increase if compared with 2013. Total non-oil and gas trade between Indonesia – Nigeria stood at $668 million or increase 13.6% if compared with 2013 while oil imports from Nigeria by Indonesia is USD 3.2 billion or increase 6.2% if compared with 2013.

This condition still made deficit for Indonesia, because Indonesia imported so many crude oil from Nigeria. To make it balance, we must improve our non-oil export to Nigeria significantly. Our Minister gave us target to increase our total export to 300% in the next five years.

Is there any issue that I have not mentioned that you would like to comment on?

Yes, I would like to use this opportunity to invite business executives in both the public and private sector, government officials and entrepreneurs to the 30th Trade Expo Indonesia which will come up on 20 -25 October, 2015 in Kemayoran Indonesia.