MINSK, 22 October (BelTA) – Indonesia is interested in purchasing Belarusian potash fertilizers and vehicles, BelTA learned from the press service of the House of Representatives.
“A parliamentary delegation of Indonesia led by Vice Speaker for Industry and Development of the House of Representatives of Indonesia Rachmad Gobel is on a visit to Belarus on 21-24 October. After meeting with their Belarusian counterparts at the House of Representatives, the Indonesian parliamentarians are touring Belarus' largest enterprises to negotiate contracts for the supply of Belarusian potash fertilizers and vehicles, primarily mining dump trucks and tractors, as well as to hold talks on establishing joint ventures in Indonesia. The delegation includes Director General of the Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Textile Industry of the Ministry of Industry Muhammad Khayam, Deputy Director for Market Security of the Ministry of Trade Sutriono Edi, Director for Market Development and Information of the Ministry of Trade Aksamil Khair, President Director of PT Pupuk Kalimantan Timur (Fertilizers of East Kalimantan) Rahmad Pribadi,” the press service informed.
According to the head of the Indonesian delegation, upon returning to Indonesia it is necessary to ensure implementation of the agreements reached during the ongoing visit, as well as the visit of the then speaker of the House of Representatives of Indonesia Marzuki Alie.
Rachmad Gobel said that boosting the Belarusian-Indonesian trade is a priority and urged to add new positions to the bilateral trade. There is such a possibility since the economies of the two countries are complementary. This will enable to balance bilateral trade, seriously increase and diversify the supply of Belarusian products to foreign markets. In turn, Indonesia is ready to offer advanced products of the textile and fishing industries for the Belarusian market. In addition, Indonesia is interested in attracting joint investments in the manufacture of rubber for the production of tires for Belarusian dump trucks.
According to Rachmad Gobel, implementing advanced Belarusian technologies and investment projects in Indonesia is beneficial to the two countries. The Indonesian market with a population of over 270 million is very large. In addition, the country is richly endowed with natural and water resources. But the most important thing is that Belarusian-Indonesian joint ventures can enter the markets of neighboring countries and the Southeast Asian region as a whole. In this regard, Indonesia asked Belarusian MPs to assist with signing a free trade agreement with the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union. These and other issues were discussed during the meetings of the Indonesian delegation with the Belarusian ministers of industry, agriculture and food, chief executives of Belneftekhim oil industry concern, MTZ tractor engineering company, BelAZ dump truck producer and Belaruskali manufacturer of potash fertilizers.
In 2020, Indonesia became the fourth strategic market for Belarusian potassium chloride. Belarus shipped 693,000 tonnes of potash worth $171.2 million to Indonesia. In January-September 2021 the supplies totaled 617,600 tonnes worth $161.5 million. BelAZ, which the Indonesian delegation visited, is currently participating in a tender to supply 20 haulers to Indonesia. The parties discussed the supplies of Belarusian agricultural products to Indonesia, emphasized the possibility to increase the supplies of Belarusian dairy products. Belarus is also ready to discuss steps that may help the Indonesian authorities recognize halal certificates issued by the Belarusian legal entity BELHALAL.
During the visit to MTZ, the parties discussed issues related to the acquisition of tractors as part of the state program to support Indonesian farmers. At the request of the Indonesian side, representatives of the Belarusian Industry Ministry took part in the joint meeting at Minsk Tractor Works. The House of Representatives also organized a meeting for the Indonesian delegation with representatives of Belneftekhim and Belpharmatsiya to discuss the use of petrochemical products in the production of medical materials and goods for the needs of the Indonesian market, exchange experience and establish joint productions.
