Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — The Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia Mohamad Hery Saripudin handed two Saudi businesses the Primaduta Award at the Annual Economic and Trade Gathering held at his residence here on Monday.

The award, received from Indonesian President Joko Widodo in October, is part of the government programs to increase the growth of exports to global markets and granted to foreign buyers who continuously import Indonesian products over a period of five consecutive years of import transactions, increasing import values, or product category expansion and a strong commitment in promoting Indonesian products abroad.

Said Bawazir Trading Corporation (SBTC) was awarded in the manufacturing industry category and Abdul Latif Jameel in the food and beverage category among 262 industries from 38 countries.

The Consul General also handed newcomer Mizanain Marketing and Trading the Duta Niaga Award for introducing Indonesian ready-made coffee brand, Santos Coffee, in the market.

Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification plan will provide Indonesia further opportunities to develop close cooperation and boost economic trade, the Consul General said in a speech addressing the business community here. “The visit of King Salman in early May should be viewed as another open door of opportunity for both countries to do business.”

Indonesia products make up 12.8 percent of the Saudi market. Trade between the two countries reached $3.33 billion between January and September of this year. In 2017, non-oil export trade to Saudi Arabia grew at 5.58 percent from $1.022 billion to $1.079 billion last year.

Saripudin called on the Saudi Arabia General Investment Authority (SAGIA) and the private sector to invest in Indonesia as the country’s recent reforms aimed to attract investors. “The government of Indonesia continues its attempt to deregulate the economy,” he said. “Having released no less than 15 policy economy packages, it has increased its ease of doing business ranking, climbing from 106th in 2016 to 91st in 2017.”

Indonesia also seeks to attract more visitors from Saudi Arabia from 170,000 to a target of 340,000 annually. One million pilgrims from Indonesia visit the Kingdom annually.

Deputy chairman of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) Ziad Al-Bassam highlighted the increase in trade between the two countries, adding that trade has expanded to not only commercial but also in industrial, hospitality and mutual projects. “The largest trade expo in Jakarta held this year was visited by some 100 Saudi businessmen. The number of visitors and tourists has also increased between the two countries. This motivates us to increase trade between two economies that are members of the G20 countries and Muslim populations,” he said.