(VEN) – Following the successes of Indonesia-Vietnam Trade, Tourism and Investment Forum last year, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia to Vietnam and Vietnam Chamber of Commerce of Industry (VCCI) continue to hold the same Forum on 13-14 June. Vietnam Economic News’ Nguyen Huong and Hoa Le talked with Mayerfas, the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Vietnam about this issue.
Bilateral trade and investment between the two nations have developed significantly over the past years. The positive results were attributed to the efforts of both countries in speeding up trade and investment promotion. What are your assessments of this issue?
During the past few years, we have witnessed the relationship between the two countries, Indonesia and Vietnam, moving forward to the new and higher level. Indonesia and Vietnam already have the Declaration on the Framework of Friendly and Comprehensive Partnership Entering the 21st Century and the Plan of Action (POA) period 2012-2015 for the Implementation of Comprehensive Partnership. This Plan of Action has laid an essential roadmap for our two countries to increase cooperation in multiple fields including economic, trade and investment. All of these efforts have reflected the importance of Vietnam to Indonesia. In 2012, Indonesia’s and Vietnam’s bilateral trade volume reached US$ 4.8 billion and in the first three months of this year reached US$ 1.087, having this we look forward to our future tightened and fruitful cooperation.
I should also mention that Indonesia and Vietnam share several conditions that can help us in enhancing our economic relationship, namely our huge population in Southeast Asia and also members of ASEAN and as we move forward to ASEAN Community in 2015, both countries see the significant in tightening regional, in this matter, people-to-people, business-to-business contact and cooperation.
Indonesia has become a new destination for Vietnamese investors recently. Could you tell us the factors that have attracted more and more Vietnamese investors?
With a population of 245 million people, of whom over 50 percent live in urban areas with modern lifestyle, Indonesia has a large domestic market to offer. That itself is a significant factor for investment. Other important factors including Indonesia’s increasing economic achievements, rising purchasing power parity and investment climate, benefit of proximity and both countries as member of ASEAN. And also important, is the country’s political and security stable condition.
In addition, recently the Investment Indonesian Coordinating Board (BKPM) had made it easier to invest in Indonesia with the issuance of Regulation No. 5 of 2013 on Direct Investment Permit and Non-Permit (“2013 Regulation”) that aims to harmonize the process of securing permits and non-permits for direct investment. With the new regulations, the procedure is simplified through a one-stop service, thus expediting the process.
Both countries have a big potential for tourism cooperation. However we have not yet exploited the potential. Could you tell us the reason why? In your opinion, what should both countries do to improve the cooperation in the field of tourism?
Take in every relationship, where there is saying that goes: “When one has never been acquainted, one can never care”. And in terms of tourism, the saying, unfortunately, applied. It is important to improve both countries people-to-people contact. Many Indonesians and Vietnamese, I believe, have ever heard about respective countries, but to be familiar with each other’s tourism potential is still a challenge. In 2012, there were around 42,000 Vietnamese tourists visiting Indonesia while it was recorded about 60,000 Indonesian tourists coming to Vietnam. The number may sound big and there is a slight increase each year but given both countries’ potential and huge market, both countries can do more.
There are avenues to enhance tourism cooperation, and the Forum is one of them. The Forum will see attendance from travel and tourism agencies, giving them the opportunities to have comprehensive information about matters related to tourism, meeting counterparts and establishing solid cooperation. Convening arts or cultural exhibition, in Vietnam or Indonesia or exchanging art/dance performers, journalists, as well as exchanging students either for short or long term program are also other ways to get familiarized to each other, which could support to boost cooperation in tourism.
Following the successes of Indonesia-Vietnam Trade, Tourism and Investment Forum last year, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia to Vietnam and Vietnam Chamber of Commerce of Industry (VCCI) continue to hold the same Forum on 13-14 June. Could you tell us the contents, activities which will take place in the forum?
Last year’s Forum was held in Hanoi and attracted many companies especially Vietnamese companies attending the event. This year, it will be held in Ho Chi Minh City, the country’s central gravity of trade.
For the program of the Forum, we will have a Panel Discussion, with several Indonesian and Vietnamese high rank officials (MOIT, MPI, VCCI, Indonesian Investment Coordinating Board, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Trade) presenting the latest development and potential opportunities related to investment, trade and tourism. There will also be two break-out sessions, one for Trade and Investment and the other related to Tourism. Breakout session will provide a more depth in exploring potential areas of cooperation.
We also allocate time for one-on-one business meeting and investment clinic. An Indonesian Products Exhibition will also take place on the 13th and 14th, with 18 Indonesian companies will be participating at the Exhibition showcasing large varieties of Indonesian products.
And to acquaint our Vietnamese counterparts with Indonesia’s unique and diverse culture, we will hold Indonesian Cultural Night on the 13th displaying arts and dance performances of Indonesia’s regions and traditional customs.
Until now, how many businesses from the both countries are taking part in the forum? What do you expect the result of the Forum?
This Forum will provide businessmen and companies better understanding of Indonesia’s and Vietnam’s investment climate, rules, regulation. And as the event is also an excellent venue for Indonesian and Vietnamese businessmen to meet up, as well as to explore the prospective business opportunities, we are hoping further contact and fruitful cooperation could be established which then serve as one of the factors in increasing our bilateral trade Forum. Until now, we have received confirmation of about 60 companies both from Indonesia and Vietnam, as we still have a few days before the 13th June, we are hoping many companies will attend and participate at the event./.
Đăng ký: VietNam News
