Jakarta – Moeldoko, the Chief of Staff to the President, emphasized the promising opportunities for collaboration between Indonesia and South Korea in the agricultural sector, with possibilities for expansion into other domains such as investment and trade.
During his address at “The 50th Anniversary of Korea-Indonesia Diplomatic Relations Maekyung Indonesia Forum” held in Jakarta on Tuesday (16/5), Moeldoko stated, “The value of agricultural trade between Indonesia and South Korea has seen continuous growth, particularly in the last five years.”
According to official data, the total value of agricultural trade between the two countries reached US$18.65 billion in 2018. Notably, this figure surged to US$24.65 billion in 2022, indicating a significant upward trend. Indonesia primarily imports agricultural products, with a particular focus on fruits, from South Korea. On the other hand, Indonesia’s key agricultural exports to South Korea include coffee and spices.
Moeldoko identified various potential areas of cooperation in the agricultural sector between Indonesia and South Korea. These include technology exchange, investment and business collaborations, training and education initiatives, research and development partnerships, and the enhancement of trade intensity and value chain.
“Through such collaboration, Indonesia can bolster its agricultural product exports and expand its market access to South Korea,” Moeldoko explained.
As the Chairman of HKTI (Indonesian Farmers Association), Moeldoko stressed the necessity for support from the governments of Indonesia and South Korea to materialize the proposed cooperation. This entails expediting the harmonization of derivative legislation resulting from the ratification of the Indonesia-Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership (IK-CEPA), promoting business-to-business cooperation by facilitating various processes, and fostering mutually advantageous trade and investment arrangements between the two nations.
Moeldoko’s statements align with the recent gathering of ASEAN leaders in Labuan Bajo, where he emphasized that ASEAN is the epicenter of growth.
The potential collaboration between Indonesia and South Korea in the agricultural sector signifies a promising opportunity for both nations to further strengthen their bilateral ties and create mutually beneficial outcomes. The focus on expanding trade, sharing technological advancements, and fostering investment will likely lead to enhanced agricultural productivity and economic growth in the two countries.
