Business news

MINSK, 25 May (BelTA) – Indonesia intends to raise the volume of trade with Belarus up to $1 billion by 2018. Speaker of the Regional Representative Council of the People’ Consultative Assembly of Indonesia Irman Gusman made the statement as he met with Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, BelTA has learned.

Irman Gusman said: “I am convinced that the present volume of trade between our countries — $215 million — is insufficient. I also agree with your statement that we should work together to greatly raise the figure. I hope that by the 25^th anniversary of the establishment of Belarusian-Indonesian diplomatic ties in 2018 we will be able to raise the trade turnover up to $1 billion.”

The Speaker of the Regional Representative Council said he believes that consistent efforts of both sides at all levels — diplomacy, the parliaments, and the private sector — are needed to reach the goal that has been set.

Irman Gusman also said he believes that the geographical location of the two countries — Belarus in the center of Europe and Indonesia as an important country in Southeast Asia — will help accomplish the goal.