MATRADE AND KADIN INDONESIA JOIN FORCES TO ORGANISE A BUSINESS FORUM

Event aims to boost trade and investment between Malaysia and Indonesia

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016 KUALA LUMPUR: In realising the aspiration of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) to develop a more prosperous region, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) and Indonesia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN Indonesia) are partnering to organise a business forum cum networking session aimed at creating a stronger awareness on trade and investment in the two nations.

Organised in a collaboration with CIMB Bank, the first ever MATRADE-KADIN Indonesia Business Forum takes place at the Tournament Players Club (TPC) Kuala Lumpur (formerly known as Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club – KLGCC) and coincides with CIMB Classic 2016. The business forum is attended by Minister of International Trade and Industry Malaysia, YB Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed and Minister of Trade Indonesia, H.E. Enggartiasto Lukita.

The event hosts more than 30 selected participants comprising senior management of Malaysian companies and individuals from various government agencies and departments. Complementing this is the attendance of an Indonesian delegation from KADIN Indonesia which consists of 30 business leaders representing various business sectors and association.

Aimed at creating a platform for exchange of views, the session also offers an avenue for the private sector from both countries to understand the opportunities awaiting them through strategic partnerships or joint ventures.

The forum features keynote address and a presentation by YB Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed on the business opportunities in Malaysia.

Malaysia as a member of ASEAN is pushing for greater intra-ASEAN trade and Indonesia is one of the promising markets for Malaysian exporters to tap into. With the materialisation of the AEC, an increasing number of regional integration initiatives have been carried out which have contributed to the liberalisation and development of ASEAN.

There are opportunities that remain untapped in both countries. Malaysia with its liberal business environment has progressively liberalised the economy unilaterally or through participation in regional and bilateral Free Trade Agreements. YB Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed in his speech mentions that Malaysia welcomes the numerous 13th economic stimulus packages introduced by Indonesia. “Within ASEAN, both countries have also undertaken market opening measures. Import duties have been virtually eliminated. Equity ownership in investment and services sector liberalised, with equity ownership of 100% allowed in many sectors,” he said in the speech.

Chief Executive Officer of MATRADE, Dato’ Dzulkifli Mahmud in the meantime said, “With MATRADE’s network of 46 offices worldwide, of which 7 are in ASEAN, Malaysian companies can be connected to high-potential business partners in various countries including Indonesia. This forum will offer them a chance to better understand the Indonesian market and this hopefully will be a catalyst to a symbiotic business relationship between the players in both nations.”

In 2015, Malaysia’s total trade with Indonesia rose by 1 per cent from RM59.7 billion in 2014 to RM60.2 billion. Malaysia’s exports to Indonesia consisted largely of petroleum products, chemical products, machinery & parts as well as E&E products – all amounted to RM29.1 bilion or USD7.5 billion. Malaysia’s import from Indonesia consisted mainly of palm oil and palm based products, petroleum products as well as chemicals products with a combined value recorded at RM31 bilion or USD8 billion.
Malaysian companies keen to venture into Indonesia are urged to contact MATRADE via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. This year, MATRADE is organising 150 programme comprising export promotion activities (85) and exporters development programme (65), of which 37 activities will take place in ASEAN.