Jogja’s Businessmen Ready to Penetrate Brazilian and Surinamese Markets

uesday, 25 June 2013

​A company producing gloves and golf apparel in Yogyakarta is ready to penetrate the markets in Brazil, Argentina, Suriname and other countries in South America. Above was one of the ideas brought up by one of the businessmen in Yogyakarta during the Roundtable Discussion on "Potential and Opportunities for Economic Cooperation between Indonesia and Brazil, Suriname, and countries in South America and Caribbean Region " in Yogyakarta (24/06).

Businessmen and business institutions in Yogyakarta consider the opportunities and market potential in the countries of South America and the Caribbean region as positive ones, especially Brazil and Suriname, as non-traditional markets.

The Roundtable Discussion activity is believed to have increased understanding and interest from trade and tourism businesses in Yogyakarta on opportunities and market potential in Brazil and Suriname, as well as attracted business people from other sectors.

The Roundtable Discussion also discussed some concrete steps such as data collection and dissemination of market intelligent conducted by Indonesian Representatives abroad, in the efforts to increase Indonesian trade and tourism cooperation in South America and Caribbean countries.

The discussion, which was attended by 70 businessmen and related institutions, was opened by the Secretary of Government of Yogyakarta, Drs. Ichsanuri.

The first session featured presentation from the Director of South America and Caribbean, Musthofa Taufik Abdul Latif, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce of Yogyakarta, Gonang Djulianto, and President Director of PT. Inti Mandiri Harp, Henry Harmawan.

The speakers at the second session were; Head of Cooperation and Investment (BKPMD) of Yogyakarta province, Drs. D. Supraktiko, the Department Head of Industry, Trade, Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises of Yogyakarta Province (Kadiperkop), Ir. Riyaldi Ida Bagus Salyo MM, and the Head of the Department of Tourism (Kadipar) Yogyakarta province, Drs. Imam Pratanadi.

The event was organized by the Directorate of South America and Caribbean of Foreign Ministry in cooperation with the Provincial Government of Yogyakarta and Chamber of Commerce of Yogyakarta.

Indonesian Trade relations with Brazil and Suriname

Brazil, Suriname and other countries in the region could become a hub for the marketing of Indonesian products to South America and Caribbean region. In addition, the historical and cultural values similar to those of Indonesian people, especially through Javanese descents in Suriname which reaches 15% of the total population can be a marketing place for Indonesian products.

Indonesia has developed economic and trade relations with Brazil and Suriname for quite a long time; however, Indonesia's trade balance with the two countries still need to be developed further.

In 2012, the trade balance between Indonesia and Suriname was USD 8.9 million, with a surplus for Indonesia amounted to USD 5.3 million.

In addition, the historical and cultural values similar to those of Indonesian people, especially through Javanese descents in Suriname which reaches 15% of the total population can be a marketing place for Indonesian products.

Meanwhile, Indonesia's trade with Brazil in 2012 was USD 3.45 billion, with a deficit for Indonesia amounted to USD 1.48 billion. Indonesian products which are in demand in Suriname and Brazil are oil palm, rubber, polyester yarn, shoes, coffee, wood products, furniture, gazebo, agricultural machinery and textile.

Improved relations between Indonesia and Brazil and Suriname have been made in all areas, not just in the field of economy and trade, but also in other areas such as the socio-cultural and educational campaign to improve the image of Indonesian culture, promoting mutual understanding through cultural cooperation, and awarding scholarships to increase understanding about Indonesia. Besides, Indonesia is also developing partnerships at the community level.

Integrated Indonesia Promotion

One form of improving relationship with Brazil and Suriname is through the promotion of Integrated Indonesia (PTI) in Gramado, Brazil (Tourism Trade Show of Gramado / TTSG, 7-10 November 2013) and Paramaribo, Suriname (Indofair, 21-28 September 2013).

TTSG is the largest international trade fairs and tourism in Latin America, participated by more than 360 booths from 40 countries and was attended by no less than 13,000 visitors.

TTSG is an exhibition that will be held for the 25th time in which Indonesian Embassy in Brasilia, Brazil and Indonesian small and medium entrepreneurs always participate.

PTI in Suriname or better known as Indofair is an integrated campaign conducted by Indonesian Embassy and Ministry of Foreign Affairs held annually and attended by a number of small and medium entrepreneurs from Indonesia.

Through TTSG and Indofair, cultural and tourism and trade products in Indonesia has been known in South America and Caribbean Region, particularly in Brazil and Suriname, and they have provided an opportunity for Indonesian businessmen to do business with trading partners in those countries. (Source: Directorate of Amselkar / ed.PY)