JAKARTA (TheInsiderStories) - New Zealand Prime Minister John Key will meet President Joko Widodo in a two-day official visit to discuss global security issues and ways to grow trade with Indonesia. Key brings 25 New Zealand CEOs in his delegation, includes leaders from the dairy, energy, aviation, construction, education and tourism sectors.
Two-way trade between the countries is currently worth $1.6b, and the two countries have set a goal of $4b by 2024.
Trade Minister Todd McClay who joined the delegation, said Indonesia is an important trade partner for New Zealand, and as 11th largest export market offers significant trading opportunities.
“Our two-way trade currently sits at $1.6 billion, and we’re keen to explore ways to meet the target set by the two countries last year to boost trade to $4 billion by 2024,” says McClay in a press statement.
While in Indonesia, McClay will take part in business forums in Jakarta and Surabaya. The Jakarta business forum will focus on the benefits of regional economic integration, including between ASEAN and New Zealand.
New Zealand, along with the United States, has laid a complaint with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) against Indonesia’s import restrictions. Indonesia’s tariffs and other restrictions led to a 80 per cent fall in New Zealand’s beef exports since 2010.
“New Zealand and a number of countries have taken a case but at the same time we continue to co-operate with Indonesia on many other fronts. I don’t expect that this will be an issue insofar as the relationship’s concerned,” McClay stated.
Key and Widodo are also expected to discuss developments in the South China Sea, counter-terrorism, and people-smuggling.