BANGKOK: A decline in bilateral trade, along with maritime and transnational crime, was among the issues addressed in Thursday’s meeting between the Indonesian and Thai foreign ministers, and the two have vowed to enhance economic relations to boost trade figures.
Indonesia Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi welcomed Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai’s first Jakarta visit, saying that she and her counterpart had agreed to enhance economic cooperation between ASEAN’s two largest economies, including a potential aircraft purchase from Indonesian aerospace company PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI).
“Our discussions covered trade, investment, tourism, aviation and issues such as the importance of food security, including skilled labor in the food industry,” Retno explained, adding that there needed to be two-way investment between countries.
“On the aircraft industry, we have a history of Thailand purchasing Indonesian aircraft made by PTDI. That is why Indonesia is offering the product of this strategic industry to Thailand.”
According to data from the Trade Ministry, bilateral trade between Indonesia and Thailand hit US$12.55 billion during January-November last year, that figure representing a roughly 13 percent decline from the same period in 2014. Bilateral trade between the two countries has declined gradually since 2012, when it sat at $18.07 billion.
