The Director of Indonesian Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC), Mr Pontas Tobing, on Sunday announced a trade volume of $588.2 million (about N80.4 billion) between Nigeria and Indonesia in 2013.
Pontas told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that trade between both countries increased by 31 per cent in 2013, from $448.6 million (about N71.8 billion) that was recorded in 2012.
“Relationship between Indonesia and Nigeria dates back to the 1960s. Since then and until now, both countries’ bilateral and mutual relations have been waxing stronger.
“In 2012, total non-oil and gas trade between Nigeria and Indonesia stood at $448.6 million (about N71.8 billion).
“This is with the aim of increasing the figure by 31 per cent at the end of 2013, which eventually got to $588.2 million (about N80.4 billion),’’ he said.
The ITPC director also said that the Indonesian Government was working hard at promoting and encouraging more investment in Nigeria.
Pontas added that the government was also willing to create a conducive environment for Nigerians to Invest in Indonesia.
He said that there were presently over 15 active Indonesian companies “waxing stronger and stronger by the day” in Nigeria.
Pontas said that his government had also established the Indonesian African Trade Association (IATA), to boost trade relations with Nigeria and other African countries.
The director said that IATA was an initiative of some Indonesian businessmen and African entrepreneurs to promote trade between them.
He expressed the ITPC’s commitment to boosting the development of the Nigerian non-oil and gas sector through market penetration, expansion, as well as promoting business relations between both countries.
