The Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Mumbai in continuation to conduct various activities to developing bilateral relations and co-operation between Indonesia and India with the aim to promote the Trade, Tourism and Investment opportunities recently organized a Solo Exhibition entitled "EXPO INDONESIA 2016" at World Trade Centre (WTC), Mumbai on 11th and 12thNovember, 2016.
Expo Indonesia 2016 was inaugurated by Subhash Desai, Minister of Industries, Government of Maharashtra and Saut Siringoringo - The Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia, Mumbai. The inaugural ceremony also had the presence of Indian Trade and Tourism Associations, leading Business Entrepreneurs and Indonesian Companies investing in India along with Indonesian communities residing under the jurisdiction of this mission.
While addressing the gathering at Expo Mr. Desai said "Our Government will strive hard to strengthen business and cultural relationships between Maharashtra state and Indonesia". 35 Indonesian companies took part in Expo Indonesia 2016, as exhibitors, featuring various products such as - Furniture, Paper, Health-Care Products, Food, Home-Care Products, Batik and Handicraft Products such as Handbags, Accessories etc.
During Expo a series of events also were held such as Seminar on Trade and Investment, "Enhancing Trade and Investment Relations between Indonesia and India", Seminar on Tourism, "Experience Travel and Tourism in Wonderful Indonesia - An Endless Destination" , Launching of a book "Ganga to Mekong - A Cultural Voyage through Textiles" by Mrs. Hema Devare, wife of Mr. Sudhir Devare, Former Indian Ambassador to Indonesia, B2B Meetings for Trade and Investments, Table Top Meetings for Travel and Tourism Industry, Batik Painting Demo and Indonesian Food vendors.
While speaking to media at Expo Mr. Saut Siringoringo said "Expo Indonesia 2016 is the second exhibition being organized by this mission after the last such event was organized in year 2007 in Mumbai. The Expo Indonesia 2016 is the continued efforts of the recent success leading a business delegation of 130 business delegates from India attending the "Trade Expo Indonesia 2016", October 12-16, 2016 in Jakarta, Indonesia which was organized by the Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia. The event resulted into a significant transaction of US $ 84 million, resulting into a 100 % increase compared to the year 2015." He further added "Indonesia and India enjoy a high level mutual beneficial relations. Implementation of ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement (AIFTA) has contributed a lot to increase the trade relations between the two countries. The average value of bilateral trade between Indonesia and India in last five years have been reaching to around US $16 billion."
Indonesia Expo 2016 is also expected to further boost Indian tourists to Indonesia beyond Bali. An important note, at the first semester of 2016, the increased number of Indian tourists to Bali was 68%. The absence of direct flight from Indonesia to India since 1998 has considerably discouraged the increase of Indian tourist to visit Indonesia and vice versa. The number of Indonesian tourists coming to India and vice versa is very low. The connectivity between the two countries through opening direct flights will certainly increase tourism sector and people to people contacts. Indonesian National carrier 'Garuda Indonesia' has expressed interest to begin its flights on India routes by end of this year.
India is one of the most important engines of the world's economic growth. The "Make in India" move is considered as a breakthrough to open the country's economy for investment. Indonesian companies are expected to invest in India to strengthen ties between both countries. The business partnership in sectors such as financing, automotive and textile must be increased and strengthened as both countries have such huge markets in those sectors.
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