Tazeen Akhtar
Jakarta Convention Center – 18 Oct 2023
38thTrade Expo Indonesia started 18 Oct 2023 at Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) in BSD-City Jakarta.The spacious hall of Exhibition Convention was full of participants from Indonesia, ASEAN states,Africa, Western countries and Asia including Pakistan. Three delegations of Islamabad and Faisalabad Chambers of Commerce and 20 member group of businessmen from industrial hub Karachi participated in the exhibition to explore the trade with Indonesia companies. Pakistani entrepreneurs working in Indonesia also exhibited their products in the Expo.
In an effort to improve national export performance, the Ministry of Trade has been proactive in inviting buyers and investors to engage directly with Indonesian providers of export products and services at the annual Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI) trade show.
It is the biggest trade exhibition for conducting business communication ong the stake holders.This year Indonesia has introduced more varied and value added products. These products are according to food safety standards, environment friendly and up to the international markets’ priorities.
President H.E Joko Widodo Launched the Expo through video Message
The President addressed the participants in his recorded message. He welcomed international guests from different countries as well as from various sectors to his country. The President appreciated the organizers of the expo for providing the businessmen from around the world to meet and discuss the prospects of cooperation.
President Joko Widodo said
“The event emphasises on Indonesia emerging as a champion of exports encompassing various spheres of the manufacturing sector.The event is of great importance as the world comes to Indonesia. We need to further champion our export mechanisms so that Indonesian businessmen would obtain a global exposure as higher exports bring better economic prospects to the nation.
Moreover, I heard that this year the focus is also on opening opportunities from non-traditional markets such as the Middle East, South Asia and Africa which are done offline and online. This is very good and I ask that it be continued so that we can diversify the market and expand the market, we can continue to improve it so that entrepreneurs “Indonesia, Indonesian MSMEs and local Indonesian product industries can progress further and become an important part of the global supply chain.
Dr Airlanga Hartato, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs
Dr Airlanga Hartato graced the event with his presence. He said the 5.17 percent GDP growth during the second quarter of 2023 witnessed by the country shows the speed of recovery from pandemic days. The growth numbers exceeded the expectations of analysts, which is remarkable. Government will encourage the development of downstream industries to boost exports since exports constitute a major priority in the Golden Indonesia 2045 Vision.
He said the trade agreements signed by the Indonesian government and their outcomes are reflected in the grand success of previous TEI editions. TEI 2022 achieved many milestones. There were 1,097 participants and 29,714 attendees with total transactions reaching $15.83 billion while we expected it to only reach $10 billion.
China topped the transaction volume list at $10.78 billion, which was followed by India ($1.51 billion) and Japan ($843.96 million),” he pointed out, adding that 1,232 exhibitors have registered for TEI 2023 and the total volume of transactions is expected to surpass $15 billion.
Dr Jerry Sambuaga, Deputy Minister of Trade
Dr. Jerry Sambuaga shed light on conducive policies for foreign investors. Both officials were optimistic on the growth of Indonesian exports and trade with the world.The country is witnessing an economic resilience after the setbacks caused by the pandemic. This is a great opportunity for the country to showcase its economic strengths and we are hopeful that the country will achieve its economic objectives while positioning itself as a major trading nation in the world.
Both officials apprised the guests about the aim of the exhibition that is to bridge the gaps and encourage the bilateral agreements for mutual benefit.The first hybrid edition of TEI is an International B2B-focused trade show designed to foster the growth of export products and expand export markets.
Facts and Figures of TEI
As shared by Dr. Jerry Sambuaga, the transaction target in TEI 2023 reached US$ 11 billion or Rp. 172.7 trillion. This amount is greater than last year’s target of US$ 10 billion, although lower than the realization of US$ 15.8 billion.
This year’s TEI is expected to contribute to increasing exports with a trade transaction target of US$ 11 billion.
Apart from that, in TEI 2023 it is said that 187 MoU purchasing mission commitments will be signed from 32 countries. Currently, Indonesia is claimed to have 38 bilateral, regional and multilateral trade agreements in all continents of the world.
The performance of trade agreements and trade agreement negotiations that have been carried out by the Ministry of Trade and the team have really provided aspects of convenience for business actors in exporting abroad.
Activities on Inaugural Day
An important segment of the opening ceremony was the distribution of export import awards to qualifying Indonesian businessmen. Many of them were women that indicates the expertise and entrepreneurship qualities of Indonesian women. Supporting programs were also carried out like business matching, business counseling, international seminars, business dialogue, and international and local trade missions.
As Indonesia is highly diversified country with respect to the local cultures, a cultural performance was specifically arranged that literally enthralled the guests. Local artists dressed in traditional outfits won the hearts with their demonstration of beautiful local culture that was full of colors.
Alongside the exhibition, buyers and visitors are also invited to join a series of business matching, business counseling and international seminars that altogether will creat more benefits and added values of visiting Trade Expo Indonesia 2023.
The expo is continued offline till 22 Oct while online till 22 Dec 2023. A large number of buyers from national and international companies are visiting the expo to enhance their circle of business with new partners.
First day observed signing of agreements with businessmen of many countries by Indonesian companies. Deputy Minister Dr Jerry was also present at this occasion. The officials shared that the agreements amount to approximately $5 Billion on the first day.
What is Trade Expo Indonesia?
To maintain the growth of manufacturing and export sector, Indonesia is always active in bridging the gaps between the stake holders and provide opportunities to sit together and discuss demand and supply of the required products and services.
38th Trade Expo Indonesia Hybrid Edition 2023 on 18 to 22 Oct 2023 offline and 18 Oct to 18 Dec 2023 online in Indonesia is in the same connection.Indonesia took initiative of hosting this expo every year starting from 1985.
The expo is connecting the industry and potential customer at national and international level with a theme Sustainable Trade For Global Economic Resilience. The expo includes exhibition, seminar, business matching and trade mission. The expo is hosted by The Directorate General National Export Development (DGNED) Ministry of Trade of Republic of Indonesia, Kementerian Perdagangan Republik Indonesia and ASEAN Indonesia 2023 and organized by PT Debindomulti Adhiswasti (DEBINDO).
The expo is focusing on 7 sectors including Food & Beverage, Home Living, Digital Services,Beauty & Personal Care, Chemical Energy & Industrial Products, Medical Equipment & Healthcare, Fashion, Textile & Accessories.More than 1200 Indonesian companies are displaying their products and services in the expo that will provide a vast opportunity to the interesting parties to select from the variety where everything will be available according to the demand of the customer.
According to further details shared with the intending participants, for the past few years, Indonesia has experienced a positive trend of export growth across various products and services in the global market. It’s crucial to continue and enhance this trend as Indonesia competes with other nations for global opportunities.
Due to the previous pandemic situation, the Ministry of Trade has introduced new strategies to enhance export performance by transforming the conventional TEI into a hybrid event, combining both online and onsite components, known as “TEI Hybrid Edition”.
TEI Hybrid Edition is an International B2B-focused trade show designed to foster the growth of export products and expand export markets. It aims to promote high-quality products made in Indonesia through a combination of onsite activities (October 18 – 22) and online activities (October 18 – December 18), reaching the global market. The event also seeks to develop business networks, attract investments, and showcase the best Indonesian products and services.
A highly professional website www.tradexpoindonesia.com for the expo has been designed for the information where one can find answers to the questions easily.
Pakistani Perspective
As a Pakistani , we can see the prospects of working together in above mentioned categories for example textile, food & beverages, home living, medical equipment and fashion. All categories are very common in Pakistan but these are the specific sectors in which Pakistan also have experience and a big manufacturing industry as well.
Indonesian experiences and products are finding customers in Pakistani market. The Embassy in Islamabad has spread information about the culture, industry and market of Indonesia in the previous years. Ambassador Adam M. Tugio and team have traveled all major cities including Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad and held meetings in the chambers of commerce frequently to shape up the bilateral cooperation. This expo is also expected to go a long way in building the cooperation and joint ventures between the companies of two countries.
Conclusion
It is no doubt a good start that depicts interest of foreign groups in Indonesia. It also expresses their trust in the government of Indonesia for the best investment and trade policies. Indonesia expects a growth in exports up to $15 Billion as the result of this expo.
Being held under the theme “Sustainable Trade for Global Economic Resilience”, the event aims to promote high-quality products made in Indonesia through a combination of onsite activities and online activities, reaching the global market. The event also seeks to develop business networks, attract investments, and showcase the best Indonesian products and services. Exhibitions, seminars, business matching opportunities and special trade missions make TEI 2023 a unique gathering of entrepreneurs and economic policy-makers in the region and beyond.
“Sustainable Trade For Global Economic Resilience” – Indonesia Hosting 38th Trade Expo Indonesia Hybrid Edition 2023
