Manado, North Sulawesi (ANTARA News) - Indonesia has been asked to boost trade with Brunei Darussalam, Director of Bilateral Trade Cooperation of Indonesian Trade Ministry Pradnyawati said here on Wednesday.
She made the statement after attending a bilateral meeting between Indonesian Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu and her counterpart from Brunei Darussalam Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng in Manado on Wednesday morning on the sidelines of the 43rd ASEAN Economic Ministerial Meeting.
"Representative from Brunei proposes that both countries strengthen the role of Indonesia-Brunei Darussalam`s Working Group on Trade and Investment as a means to boost trade relations between the two countries," Pradnya said.
According to data, exports and imports between Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam in 2010 reached US$700 million, a significant decline compared to trade in 2008 worth US$2 billion.
During the Wednesday meeting between Minister Mari and Minister Pehin, Pradnya said, both ministers acknowledged obstacles in their bilateral trade including lack of transportation means (no direct flights between Indonesia and Brunei), strict labeling system implemented by Brunei and Indonesian entrepreneurs who find it hard to get information about market access in Brunei.
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