It starts tomorrow and lasts for almost two weeks. The aim is for local small and business enterprises (SMEs) to “gain access to information of overseas products.” This time, the Macau Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) is organising a “Catalogue Show of Indonesian Products and Services,” together with the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Hong Kong.
From tomorrow until July 25 the Indonesian products’ catalogue show will be on display at the centre, as a continuation of the debut Thai Catalogue Show held in May.
With both shows, the SME Service Centre of IPIM is planning a series of country-themed catalogue shows for local SMEs.
Being a member of ASEAN, Indonesia has gradually become a significant trading partner for Macau. Trading activities between Indonesia and Macau has been increasing since the SAR’s handover in 1999, with trade figures growing intensively and recording a 28.74 per cent increase from 2006 to 2007, up 32.97 per cent year on year.
According to statistical data, there is a growth of 13.83 per cent in the annual import value from Indonesia since 2000. Last year, total import value from Indonesia reached 203 million patacas, of which around 70 per cent were edible bird’s nest, food products, tableware and kitchenware, pumice stones, coffee and electronic products.
“The rich natural resources of Indonesia will enable Macau and Indonesia to benefit from long-term development in different arrays of business and economic co-operation,” a statement from IPIM said.
Through the joint efforts of the Indonesian Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Agriculture and Coordinating Board of Investment of Indonesia, an assorted collection of over 40 types of catalogues will be on display and over 5,000 catalogues will be available for distribution.
In addition, a wide range of materials, covering investment and travel guides, MICE information, promotional materials of food and beverages, agriculture, seafood, spices, handicraft industries and product pamphlets of Indonesian companies will also be included in the collection.
IPIM is encouraging local SMEs in search for partners or distribution rights from Indonesia or any other interested parties to visit the Catalogue Show.
The show will run from 9am to 6pm daily at IPIM’s Macao Business Support Centre, located on the 19th floor of their office in the China Civil Plaza at Alameda Dr. Carlos d’Assumpçao No. 263, in Nape.
Source: http://www.macaudailytimesnews.com/
July 14th, 2008
A COASTAL town in Mindanao has sought funding for the construction of a P250 million modern seaport to boost trade exchanges with Indonesia’s northern area.
Mayor Alex B. Wangkay of Jose Abad Santos town in Davao del Sur said the local government unit has asked the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) to finance the project in line with efforts to spur economic development along with two other towns in Mindanao.
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Jose Abad Santos is part of the Jags-CT economic grouping. It stands for Jose Abad Santos-Glan-Sarangani Cooperation Triangle.
Sarangani town is also part of Davao del Sur, while the municipality of Glan is under the province of Sarangani.
Jags-CT was formed in 2003 in support to the initiatives of the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines - East Asean Growth Area (Bimp-Eaga). The economic triangle aims to increase trade, tourism and investments by enhancing cross-border linkages with the northern Sulawesi province of Indonesia.
“We want it [proposed sea port] to be part of the Roro (roll-on, roll-off) nautical highway that would serve the routes up to Sulawesi in Indonesia,” said the singer-turned politician popularly known as Zander Khan.
In October 2006, the local economic cluster embarked on a historic voyage from the port of Glan to Bitung in Indonesia, bringing 170 metric tons of various goods such as activated carbon, papaya soaps and mangoes, among others.
However, it was not sustained due to the absence of regular shipping firms plying the route.
Transportation Secretary Leandro R. Mendoza was reported to have expressed his agency’s interest to finance the construction of the proposed seaport. It will be located in the village of Balangunan.
Wangkay said the port project would augur well for trade exchanges between the three localities and the northern portion of Indonesia, which is about 30 hours apart on a regular sea travel.
Glan Mayor Enrique B. Yap Jr., Jags-CT chair, said they are firming up the economic triangle’s potentials by developing vital road networks, ports and a 25-hectare economic zone, to lure investors.
In Glan, he said the local government unit has approved a 25-hectare economic zone and that in Sarangani town, a P43 million seaport complex has been completed.
Undersecretary Virgilio L. Leyretana, chair of the Mindanao Economic Development Council, cited officials of the three towns for their efforts in helping accelerate the attainment of economic developments of depressed areas not only in the Philippines but in nearby northern Indonesia as well.
He added that better relations between the two countries should be maintained to facilitate trade and commerce.
Yap said: “Jags-CT can prove to other municipalities and countries that smaller growth areas can develop if they just only cooperate with each other.”
He said Jags-CT is solely run and financed by the local government units of Jose Abad Santos, Glan and Sarangani municipality.
Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/
July 14th, 2008