Jakarta, The Indonesia Post – The Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Tunisia Zuhairi Misrawi met with Tunisian Minister of Trade Kultsum Rajab to discuss increasing trade cooperation between Indonesia and Tunisia at the Tunisian Ministry of Trade office in Tunis on Tuesday (21/3).
During the meeting, Ambassador Zuhairi Misrawi explained the importance of a trade agreement which could enhance trade cooperation between the two countries, according to a statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Tunis, Wednesday.
“Trade cooperation between Indonesia and Tunisia continues to increase from year to year. In 2021, trade volume will reach US$130 million, and in 2022 it will exceed US$200 million,” he said.
Ambassador Zuhairi further said that the Governments of Indonesia and Tunisia were discussing a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) in order to enhance trade cooperation between the two countries.
“This initiative came from Indonesia in order to fulfill the aspirations of exporters and importers in order to create an open, easy and profitable business atmosphere for both countries. The trade agreement (PTA) started in 2018, and it is time for the two countries to agree and sign it,” he said .
Ambassador Zuhairi Misrawi also said that Indonesia continues to provide convenience to exporters and importers from Tunisia.
“We continue to encourage and provide convenience to Tunisian exporters, especially for dates, olive oil and phosphate products. I hope that large exports from Tunisia to Indonesia can become a bridge to strengthening the bilateral relations between Indonesia and Tunisia, which was initiated by President Sukarno and President Habib Bourgaiba in the past,” he said.
“Apart from that, we also continue to provide convenience and facilitate importers from Tunisia, which in recent years have continued to increase,” he continued.
Meanwhile, Tunisian Trade Minister Kultsum Rajab responded positively to the initiative to continue discussing and negotiating a special trade agreement between the two countries.
“We agree to immediately continue discussions and negotiations on a trade agreement between the two countries. Future trade cooperation between Indonesia and Tunisia must be increased,” she said. (mhn/bbs)
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