RI, Canada Trade Increases 30 Percent

Toronto, May 1, (Antara) - The volume of Indonesia-Canada trade in the past five years increased by 30 percent annually, Indonesia`s Ambassador to Canada Dianne Moehario said. "Total trade volume between Indonesia and Canada in 2012 reached US$3 billion," Ambassador Dianne said after opening the Indonesian Booth in Canada`s Salon International del`Alimentation (SIAL) here on Tuesday. Compared with other ASEAN countries, Indonesia is the fifth bigger exporter to Canada after Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore. However, Indonesia is the biggest importer of Canadian exports to the ASEAN region followed by Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. "The two countries` bilateral trade prospect is bright and Indonesia`s food and beverage products are good. After all, Canada is a destination country of migrants from various countries," she said. The ambassador said that Canada could also serve as a gate for Indonesia`s food and beverage products to the American markets. In the meantime, Indonesian chief delegate to SIAL Canada 2013 Pradnyawati said that food and beverage products were Indonesia`s mainstay commodities which contributed to the country`s non-oil and non-gas commodity exports. In 2012, the value of Indonesia`s total exports of food and beverage products were recorded at US$4.49 billion with an upward trend of about 15.59 percent in the 2008 - 2012 period. In the meantime, its total imports of the same products in the corresponding period were recorded at US$5.59 billion with an average increase of 29.82 percent in the 2008 - 2012 period, Pradnawati, promotion development director of the ministry of trade, said. In 2012, Canada was Indonesia`s 28th food and beverage export destination country with exports worth US$20.14 million. It showed an upward trend of about 13.89 percent from 2008 to 2012. Indonesia`s food and beverage exports to Canada included bird nest, oyster shells, crabs, shrimps, tuna, tea, nutmeg, shrimp paste and biscuits. In the meantime, its food and drink imports from Canada were recorded at US$14.99 million. Canada was Indonesia`s 29th food and beverage exporter country with a downward trend of about 3.75 percent annually. Indonesia`s foods and beverage imports from Canada included ice cream, potatoes, beans, vegetable extract products, supplement and vegetables, Pradnyawati said. There were eleven Indonesian producers taking part in the Canadian exhibition, namely Niramas Utama (Nata De Coco, Aloevera, Jelly), Aksara Kencana Putra (Fresh Honey Natural, Red Sugar Block, Palm Sugar, Green Tea), Maesindo Indonesia (Horeca product, table top, forage cap, chef hat), Tritis International (Desicated Cococonut), Latransa Citra (Food and herbal ingredients, seasoning), Javara (Organic Foodstuff), Sinar Sosro (Tea), Indofood (Noodles, seasoning); sembilan, Wings Food (Noodles & snack), Caldera Coffee (Coffee) and Petra International (Fine Gum Paste Flower). Several Indonesian products have entered Canada such as rubber, foot ware, household utensils, computer spare parts, food products, and paper and electronics parts. This indicates that Indonesian products entering Canada are manufactured goods. "This means that Indonesia is able to compete with other nations," the Indonesian ambassador said.