Enugu, Indonesia to deepen trade, investment relations

Usra Harahap, Indonesian ambassador to Nigeria, says the Asian country is interested in deepening relations with the government of Enugu in the areas of trade and investment.

Harahap spoke on Monday when he led a team of senior delegates from the Republic of Indonesia on a business and working visit to Peter Mbah, Enugu governor.

Harahap said Indonesia is interested in investing in Enugu’s energy and mining sectors, as well as its agriculture and tourism industries.

He also expressed interest in collaborating with the state in the areas of education and healthcare.

“The potential for collaboration between Indonesia and Enugu is immensely spanning across the state in many sectors,” the envoy said.

“We look at how our trade will further improve. In this regard, I will extend my invitation to Mbah and the Enugu business community to participate in the Trade Expo, which will be held from October 18 to October 22, 2023, in the city of Indonesia.

“This Expo will provide a unique platform for you to meet the Indonesia businessmen, and also be exposed to our services and business opportunities that can be mutually beneficial.

“Trade value between Indonesia and Nigeria is about $4.5 billion of which the total import amount to $4.3 billion with export at only $5 million.”

“We recognise the potential of the agro-sector in your region and we envisage collaboration between Enugu and Indonesia businesses within areas such as food processing, agriculture machinery, and irrigation.

“Indonesia’s expertise can help significantly to increase agricultural productivity and ensure food security in your state.”

On his part, Mbah said his government is committed to providing a favourable investment climate for Indonesian businesses.

He commended the envoy and his team for picking special economic interests in the state, adding that his administration was not only ready to partner with Indonesian investors, but had equally provided the enabling environment to welcome them to the state.

“Enugu State is blessed with minerals such as limestone, gypsum, clay mineral, glass sand, and one of the cleanest coal deposits in the world,” Mbah said.

Mbah reiterated the government’s resolve to make the state an investment destination, grow the gross domestic product from its present $4.4 billion to $30 billion, eradicate poverty, and make it a tourism hub through deliberate policies already being executed.

The governor added that over 300,000 hectares of land had been designated as a special economic zone for the agro-allied processing industry and other investment prospects.

He, therefore, assured Harahap that Enugu is one of the safest states to do business in terms of security as he called on investors to seize the opportunity provided by the government to invest in agriculture and agro-allied industrialisation.