Hanoi (VNA) – Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi met with herSouth African counterpart in Cape Town on February 6, with discussion focusingon ways to boost bilateral trade.
Theyagreed that two-way trade and investment value still falls short of the twocountries’ potential.
Retnosaid historical affinity between Indonesia and South Africa could serve as astrong foundation for their mutually beneficial economic partnership.
SouthAfrican Minister of International Relations and CooperationMaite Nkoana-Mashabane encouraged Indonesian firms accompanying Retnoto carry outmarket studies and make partnerships in strategic sectors such as industry,finance and transport.
Aspart of the Indonesian delegation’s visit to South Africa, a SouthAfrica-Indonesia business forum took placewith the participation of businesses operatingin energy and shipping sectors, exporters and financial institutions.
SouthAfrica is Indonesia’s second biggest trade partner in the Sahara Sub Region ofAfrica. In the first ten months of 2016, bilateral trade hit 860 million USD,with South African investors channeling a total of 981,500 USD into Indonesialast year.-VNA