Indonesia Promotes Exports to Finland
Tuesday, 19 February, 2008 | 13:09 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu stated that cooperation between Indonesia and Finland will open export access to several European countries, such as Scandinavia and Russia. “Like a gateway. We hope that Finland not only sees Indonesia, but also ASEAN,” she said after accompanying President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono with Finland’s President Tarja Halonen at Merdeka Palace, yesterday (18/2).

She said that Indonesia is putting out efforts to increase its trade balance with Finland. In 2007, Indonesia’s trade with Finland reached US$550 million with imports worth US$373 million and exports US$177 million. “Indonesia still has a trade deficit with Finland,” said Mari.

According to Mari, from Finland most of Indonesia’s imports are telecommunication devices and pulp & paper machines. As regards Indonesia’s export products to Finland, those are electronics, furniture and footwear. “Indonesia must compete with China, Thailand and Malaysia for manufactured products,” she said.

According to her, Indonesia hopes that Finland will invest in the telecommunications sector, as Indonesia is the main market for Nokia cellular phones sales from that country. “As well as bio-fuel, because Finland is relatively strong in bio-fuel,” she said.

She explained that she will meet Finland’s Trade and Development Minister and the business delegation. “We want them to invest here,” she said.

NININ DAMAYANTI