In Nanning, Vice President Amin Calls for Strengthening Regional Economic Integration

At the China-ASEAN Expo 2023 in Nanning, People's Republic of China, Vice President Amin called for strengthening mutually beneficial regional economic integration.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Di Nanning, Wapres Amin Serukan Penguatan Integrasi Ekonomi Kawasan

KOMPAS/CYPRIANUS ANTO SAPTOWALYONO

Vice President Ma’ruf Amin attended The 20 China-ASEAN Expo held at the Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center in the Guangxi Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China on Sunday (17/9/2023).

NANNING, KOMPAS - ASEAN-China economic, trade, and investment cooperation continues to grow positively amidst the pandemic and various global challenges. In fact, ASEAN has become China's largest trading partner since 2020. Mutual beneficial regional economic integration must be strengthened together.

"The integration of the regional economy is expected to overcome barriers to achieving the true potential of ASEAN-China trade and encourage balanced, inclusive, and sustainable trade," said Vice President Ma'ruf Amin in Nanning, Guangxi Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China, on Sunday (17/9/2023)."

Vice President Amin said this when giving a speech at the opening of The 20^th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) and The 20^th China-ASEAN Business Summit (CABIS) 2023 which was held in Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center (NICEC).

In the beginning of his address, Vice President Amin stated that Indonesia has just finished hosting the 43rd ASEAN High-Level Conference and other related conferences. The conference went smoothly and yielded good results. Vice President Amin also emphasized the importance of collaboration for economic growth, specifically collaboration between ASEAN and comprehensive strategic partners such as China.

The leadership of Indonesia has chosen the theme "ASEAN Matters: Epicenter of Growth". The theme was intentionally chosen to make our region the center of economic growth," said Vice President Amin.

KOMPAS/CYPRIANUS ANTO SAPTOWALYONO

Vice President Ma’ruf Amin attended The 20 China-ASEAN Expo held at the Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center in the Guangxi Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China on Sunday (17/9/2023).

According to Vice President Amin, the implementation of CAEXPO can support this effort. Implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) must also be strengthened. It is believed that RCEP will contribute 187 billion US dollars to the region's gross domestic product. "Apart from that, ASEAN and China are currently negotiating an ASEAN-China FTA 3.0 upgrade with a focus on new sectors, such as the digital economy, green economy and market access for MSMEs," he said.

Also read: Vice President Amin, PM Li Discuss Expanding Indonesia-China Cooperation

Vice President Amin also sees the importance of encouraging interaction and networking between ASEAN and Chinese business players. That is why Indonesia participated in CAEXPO this year in the form of the Commodity Pavilion and the City of Charms Pavilion. The Commodity Pavilion highlighted various superior products, such as food, drinks, fashion, and consumer goods. Meanwhile, in the City of Charms Pavilion, Indonesia showcased the potential of Central Kalimantan.

When opening the City of Charm Pavilion, Vice President Amin said that Indonesia's presence at CAEXPO 2023 was a collaboration between the business community, associations and local governments. "My hope is that this pavilion can become a window for a showcase of regional excellence and potential in Indonesia and encourage regional level economic cooperation between ASEAN and China," said Vice President Amin.

When opening the Commodity Pavilion, Vice President Amin hopes that the pavilion will further introduce Indonesian products to Chinese consumers. Additionally, it also opens access to the market through direct sales or business-to-business cooperation. "This is further evidence that CAEXPO, as a collaborative trade promotion, continues to bring concrete and positive results for Indonesian, ASEAN, and Chinese businessmen," said Vice President Amin.

KOMPAS/CYPRIANUS ANTO SAPTOWALYONO

Vice President Ma’ruf Amin attended The 20 China-ASEAN Expo held at the Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center in the Guangxi Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China on Sunday (17/9/2023).

The Indonesian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in China, Djauhari Oratmangun, in his report said that the Indonesian pavilion was attended by more than 80 booths displaying superior Indonesian products, including from Central Kalimantan.

Director General of National Export Development at the Ministry of Trade, Didi Sumedi, said that the Indonesian pavilion occupies an area of ​​2,150 square meters. This exhibition was organized through the work of the Indonesian government, specifically the Ministry of Trade, state-owned enterprises, private companies, and the Guangzhou government which provided the space. Didi conveyed that this annual exhibition is not only targeting the ASEAN-China market, but also the global market.

Meanwhile, Deputy Governor of Central Kalimantan, Edy Pratowo, while delivering the speech of the Governor of Central Kalimantan, Sugianto Sabran, stated that this year Central Kalimantan has the opportunity to participate by utilizing the promotional potential of the region at CAEXPO.

The Indonesian National Pavilion "City of Charm" and the Commodities Pavilion at CAEXPO involve the tourism industry and cultural dance art studios. Additionally, private sector entrepreneurs from various primary commodity sectors, artisans, small and medium-sized industries, as well as micro, small, and medium-sized businesses are also involved.

CAEXPO is expected to become a strategic means of developing and promoting potential superior products from Kalteng in the international market. This is also a strategy to penetrate the market.

According to data from the Kalteng Foreign Trade, the mineral and coal sectors have occupied the top position along with palm oil and its derivatives as the leading export products in the last five years.

KOMPAS/CYPRIANUS ANTO SAPTOWALYONO

Vice President Ma’ruf Amin attended The 20 China-ASEAN Expo held at the Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center in the Guangxi Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China on Sunday (17/9/2023).

For years, Central Kalimantan has consistently made a significant positive contribution as one of the largest foreign exchange earners for the country. "This is proven by the foreign trade balance of Central Kalimantan over the past five years which has always been in surplus, above 1.5 billion US dollars," said Edy.