SWEDISH BIZMEN TO EXPAND OPERATIONS IN INDONESIA

Jakarta Forum - Jakarta, Thirty-five Swedish businessmen plan to expand their business in Indonesia, impressed by the country`s resilience in amid the global crisis, a senior official said here on Monday.

"They have come here to study further Indonesia`s potentials," Deputy Trade Minister Mahendra Siregar said after receiving the businessmen.

He said the Swedish delegation flanked by Swedish ambassadors to Indonesia and Singapore would also meet with other officials including the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and private business leaders in connection with its plan.

"According to the Swedish ambassador to Indonesia the delegation is the biggest so far ever coming to Indonesia," he said.

Around 50 Swedish companies are currently operating in Indonesia including cosmetics company Oriflame.

"In terms of exports and imports there have indeed been relations though they still need to be further increased," he said.

Mahendra said several sectors that had attracted the Swedish businessmen include information technology, environment or climate change impact handling in particular, infrastructure for railroads, sea transportation, heavy equipment, service and mining.

Indonesia`s exports to Sweden in 2008 were valued at US$134.11 million while its imports were recorded at US$1.03 billion.

From January to November 2009 its exports were worth US$129.8 million and its imports US$661.97 million.

Mahendra said although Indonesia suffered a deficit in its trade with Sweden it does not mean that the country`s products did not sell well in that country.

He said he believed some Indonesian products had also entered that country through other European countries like the Netherlands.

"We look at the European Union as a unity. So if our exports to for example the Netherlands are large it does not mean that all of them going to the Netherlands and likewise if exports to the Netherlands are small it does not mean that our products are not exported there," he said.

Mahendra however admitted that Sweden is a country worth being taken as an important export destination.

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