The Indonesian government is seeing closer economic partnership with the Philippines considering the proximity and increasing engagements between the two nations.

Ambassador Agus Widjojo said Friday the two nations can do “great work together” to enhance economic partnership and expand bilateral trade that has been extremely slowed down at the height of the pandemic.

“This partnership has great potential considering strategic geographical proximity and archipelagic traits, which made the government and business sectors from both countries easily understand the existing potentials as well as barriers fundamental in the mobility of goods and services between the two countries,” Widjojo said.

Widjojo said the two countries could use the Asean Free Trade Area’s (AFTA) wide network with dialogue partners, including multilateral forum such as East Asia Summit, and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

“These venues are vital in making more trade transactions and investments certain for Philippines and Indonesia,” he said.

In a separate interview, the envoy said Jakarta and Manila are also working to move the Philippines’ export value at par with its importation from Indonesia.

“[Trade] is becoming better although at the moment we know that trade balance is on the surplus side of the Indonesian side that’s why we have to look for innovative and creative ways to balance it,” he said.

The Indonesian Embassy in Manila hosted the Indonesia Expo at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City on Friday, featuring 20 exhibitors involved in food and beverages, craft furniture, cosmetics, and power plant, among others.

“I am confident that today’s activity will bring momentum for all participants to recover together, recover stronger, and provide economic benefits not only for Indonesia but also make a significant contribution to the economic growth of the Philippines,” Widjojo said. (PNA)