RI, South Africa reach regional economic cooperation agreement
Antara Interactive
Jakarta (ANTARA News) – The Indonesian and South African governments reached an agreement of regional economic cooperation to enter the Southeast Asian and African market.
Minister of Trade Mari Elka Pangestu told the press here on Friday that during a recent visit to South Africa she had bilateral meetings discussing increased bilateral regional cooperation.
South Africa as member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and Indonesia as member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN, agreed to develop opportunities of entering their respective market.
In the meantime with regard to multilateral issues, each of the trade ministers agreed that the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) round must be completed by the end of July 2006, and the development aspect must become a crucial part of the round.
“As G-33 chairman, Indonesia hoped South Africa would always support the efforts of G-33 in fighting for the Special Products (SP) and Special Safeguard Measures (SSM),” Mari said.
Besides meeting her South African counterpart, Mandisi Bogani Mabuto Mpahlw, Mari also addressed a business forum held by the South African Chamber of Commerce attended by more than 40 local businessmen and industrialists engaged in the fields of foodstuff, healthcare, furniture, information technology, banking, shipping and other industrial undertakings.
The trade minister during her visit also dedicated the annual exhibition “Import Africa 2006″ held from May 24 through 27, 2006. In the exhibition, dubbed the biggest of its kind in South Africa, Indonesia featured its leading export commodities like textile and garments, furniture, handicraft goods, farm and plantation produce, medicines and tourist objects.(*)