Indonesia Poised to Become ASEAN‘s Trading Hub as China-Indonesia Trade Ties Strengthen
December 2, 2024
JAKARTA – The Eighth China Homelife Trade Show unveiled a bustling marketplace for Indonesian and Chinese businesses, highlighting the growing economic ties between the two nations. The expo, which runs through Saturday in Jakarta, showcases a diverse array of products from more than 2,000 exhibitors, predominantly from mainland China.
Luo Jie, vice-chairman and secretary of the China Sporting Goods Federation, emphasized the deepening mutual trust and strengthened relationship between China and Indonesia, stating, “This expo is the latest concrete evidence of the close linkages between our two countries.” Luo lauded the role of top leaders from both nations in bolstering China-Indonesia relations over the past several years.
“We hope that through this expo we will be able to create constructive dialogues that cross our states’ borders and our languages,” Luo said.
Vinsensius Jemadu, deputy for tourism products and events organization at Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, expressed optimism about the expo’s positive impact on businesses in both countries, particularly in the tourism sector. He emphasized Indonesia’s potential in the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) tourism segment, noting that visitors to MICE events typically have longer stays in the country compared to leisure travelers.
“We hope that this expo will pave the way for more collaborations and partnerships between Indonesian and Chinese businesses. The MICE sector holds immense potential for both our countries,” Jemadu said.
Larissa Zhou, country regional manager of Meorient Exhibition International (Indonesia), echoed the sentiment, stating that Indonesia possesses the qualities to become a prominent trading hub for the ASEAN region. The success of the Homelife Trade Show has prompted Meorient Exhibition to plan a large-scale machinery show in Jakarta in June next year.
“We aim to bring together businesses from diverse sectors, including tourism and education, to this exciting event,” Zhou said.
The expo featured special sessions led by officials from Indonesia’s Ministry of Trade and other departments, focusing on crucial topics like import and export regulations. These sessions provided valuable insights and guidance to businesses looking to expand their operations.
Yendi Suhendi, a young garment producer from Jakarta, saw the trade show as a valuable opportunity to explore collaborations with Chinese entities. “I’m here to connect with potential partners and learn more about the Chinese market,” Suhendi said.
How has the China-Indonesia relationship specifically impacted certain industries in Indonesia’s economy?
## Indonesia’s Rise as ASEAN’s Trading Hub: A Conversation with [Guest Name]
**Interviewer:** Welcome to the show, [Guest Name]. Today, we’re discussing Indonesia’s burgeoning role in ASEAN’s trade landscape, spurred by strengthening ties with China. The Eighth China Homelife Trade Show, currently underway in Jakarta, is a prime example of this growing economic collaboration.
**Guest:** It’s a pleasure to be here. You’re absolutely right. Events like this trade show clearly demonstrate the progress being made.
**Interviewer:** Mr. Luo Jie, Vice-Chairman of the China Sporting Goods Federation, stated that this expo is “concrete evidence of the close linkages” between China and Indonesia. What are some specific ways you see this relationship impacting Indonesia’s economy?
**Guest:** [Here the guest could discuss specific industries benefiting from the China-Indonesia relationship, citing examples from the trade show’s product offerings. They could also mention Indonesia’s strategic location in Southeast Asia and its role in facilitating regional trade.]
**Interviewer:** Indonesia’s export sector has been steadily growing. Platforms like Inatrade [ [1](https://www.inatrade.id/) ]are actively working to connect Indonesian exporters with global markets. How do initiatives like this contribute to Indonesia’s position as a regional trade hub?
**Guest:** [The guest could elaborate on the role of platforms like Inatrade in streamlining the export process, providing valuable support to Indonesian businesses, and facilitating access to international markets. They could also discuss the potential for Inatrade to play a role in connecting Indonesian businesses with Chinese counterparts, further strengthening bilateral trade ties.]
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, what are some potential challenges and opportunities for Indonesia as it further develops its role as ASEAN’s trading hub?
**Guest:** [The guest could discuss potential challenges such as infrastructure development, regulatory hurdles, and competition from other regional players. They could also highlight opportunities arising from Indonesia’s young and skilled workforce, growing consumer market, and natural resource abundance. ]
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your insights, [Guest Name]. It’s clear that Indonesia’s future as a vital player in regional and global trade looks promising.
