On March 17, the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation Sergey Katyrin had a meeting with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Indonesia to Russia and Belarus, Jose Antonio Morato Tavares. The event was attended by the Minister Counsellor for Economic Affairs of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia to the Russian Federation Edi Suharto, Vice President of the CCI of Russia Vladimir Padalko, Director of the Department of External Relations and Work with Business Councils of the CCI of Russia Alexander Kopkov and others.
Sergey Katyrin appreciated the active work of the newly appointed Ambassador on the agenda of trade and economic cooperation between Russia and Indonesia. According to the President of the CCI of Russia, Russian-Indonesian trade relations have passed the test of a pandemic. In 2020, trade between Russia and Indonesia decreased by only 4.1% (compared to 2019) and amounted to USD 2.3 billion. At the same time, the two countries have serious reserves for building up economic cooperation using, in particular, the opportunities and established ties of the Business Council for Cooperation with Indonesia and the Russia-ASEAN Business Council. Sergey Katyrin stressed that Russian business has a great interest, both in bilateral business relations and in cooperation with Indonesia, as a key player in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
The head of the CCI of Russia spoke about his working visit to Indonesia in March 2019, during which a number of topical and promising areas for interaction were discussed, such as investment cooperation, exhibition activities, including participation in exhibitions and congresses held at the Expocentre and WTC Moscow.
Sergey Katyrin informed the Indonesian side that this year it is planned to open a Regional Representative office of the CCI of Russia in ASEAN in Jakarta. The main task of the office is to assist the members of the Chamber to develop relations with foreign partners in the region.
Jose Antonio Morato Tavares welcomed the opening of the representative office and expressed his readiness to assist in this. Mr. Ambassador stressed that the main priority of his work is the active development of economic cooperation. He continues the activities of his predecessor, in particular, closely getting acquainted with the Russian regions and holding various business forums for Russian and Indonesian entrepreneurs.
Jose Tavares said that Indonesia ranks 16th among the world's economies in terms of GDP of $ 1.3 trillion. The country's population is 270 million people, of which 55 million are skilled workers. The Indonesian government is setting ambitious growth targets for the economy, driven by strong domestic consumption.
Vice President of the CCI of Russia Vladimir Padalko noted the great interest of Russian business circles in the project of relocating the capital of Indonesia from Jakarta to the territory of the East Kalimantan province.
Jose Tavares confirmed that such a decision had indeed been made. However, the start of the relocation program has been postponed indefinitely until the consequences of the pandemic are overcome. According to him such a project cannot do without Russian experience and investments. As soon as there is certainty the Indonesian side intends to hold a special business forum dedicated to the relocation.
Summing up the results of the meeting, Sergey Katyrin also expressed hope for regular meetings and information exchange in the interests of entrepreneurs of the two countries.
By CCI of Russia news reports
