Bahrain-Indonesia trade jumps 179 pc

Manama : Bahrain’s trade relation with Indonesia has swelled to US$150,821 million in the 2016-17 period, which according to Indonesian Ambassador will “further expand enormously in the next five years”. 

“As of August 2017, trade between Indonesia and Bahrain is 179 percent higher than that of 2016,” Nur Syahrir Rahardjo, Ambassador of Indonesia said citing data from Indonesian Trade Ministry. 

Rahardjo also revealed that the embassy is currently witnessing an increase in the number of Indonesian companies and businessmen arriving in Bahrain to explore  trade opportunities. 

“Based on these facts, I do believe that in the next five years, trade and investment between the two brotherly countries will increase enormously,” the Ambassador told DT News. 

On Bahrain’s prominence as a trade hub, Rahardjo said, “Bahrain serves as a hub for the Indonesian companies who wish to enter the Middle Eastern market.” “This would benefit not only the Kingdom but also the GCC, the whole of the Middle East and the North Africa,” he added. 

In this regard, the Ambassador also recalled the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Prime Minister His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa for ‘looking to the east’ policy. 

Bahraini businessmen, Rahardjo said, are looking to explore their Asian neighbours for business partnerships. “Indonesia with its strong market and manufacturing capabilities can serve as a potential partner for Bahraini investors in this regard,” he said. 

But to increase it further, the Ambassador said, there is a need for “more encouragement from private sectors of both sides”.

Explaining more about the opportunities available, the Ambassador pointed out the important role played by Trade Expo Indonesia. 

“Entrepreneurs from Bahrain have been a constant presence at the expo for the last few years,” Rahardjo said adding: “In 2017, the Bahraini delegation to the expo was led by Shaikh Daij bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Chairman of ASEAN Bahrain Council.”