Indonesia Promotes Crude Palm Oil Products In Azerbaijan

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The Indonesian government is promoting its crude palm oil products in Azerbaijan to boost trading between the two countries, according to Minister of Industry Saleh Husin.

"Oil and gas is the biggest trading commodity between Indonesia and Azerbaijan. We are promoting Indonesia's crude palm oil and other products, such as textiles, to be directly exported to Azerbaijan," the minister stated on the sidelines of the 98th commemoration of the Republic of Azerbaijan here on Monday evening (May 23).

The minister said the government was also encouraging direct trading of Indonesian products to Azerbaijan to avoid the involvement of a third country.

"Most Indonesians have not viewed Azerbaijan as a promising market. However, now with the two countries sharing more open relations, business-to-business relations could be developed," he emphasized.

The minister affirmed that Azerbaijan could serve as a gateway to the European market for Indonesia.

"Our excellent products, such as crude palm oil, can go through Azerbaijan and then be exported to other Eastern European countries," he noted.

The value of bilateral trade between Indonesia and Azerbaijan in 2015 stood at US$1.764 billion. Potential products for Azerbaijan's market include packaged food, household appliances, textile and derivative products, sports equipment, and handicrafts.

Meanwhile, in 2015, Indonesia imported some 2.5 million tons of crude oil from Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijani Ambassador to Indonesia Tamerlan Karayev stated that the Indonesian government can send a business delegation to Azerbaijan to evaluate the market potential in a bid to increase trade between the two countries.

"The Indonesian government and its private sector companies can visit Azerbaijan to look for business partners to expand investment in Indonesia," he said.

According to the ambassador, the stakeholders can showcase projects that appeal to Azerbaijan to open up investment opportunities in Indonesia.

"Business or any profit sectors will certainly appeal to Azerbaijan," Ambassador Karayev added. (WDY)