The Ministry of Trade has facilitated the export of agricultural products worth IDR 450 billion, and has fostered partnerships between Indonesian entrepreneurs and Timor Leste during the Atambua International Expo 2023 on Tuesday. Border regions serve as one of the main gateways for penetrating the export market of neighboring countries. As part of ASEAN, Timor Leste is an important partner for Indonesia in introducing Indonesian products, especially those from East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). This export release is a continuation of the export cooperation between the Belu Bhakti Regional Company and the Timor Leste-based company Vauvaire Unipesoal Lda, with a total transaction value reaching USD 100 thousand. The export release is a result of business meetings that have taken place six times since the end of last year.
In addition to the export release, the exhibition is complemented by business meetings involving 90 participants. The exhibition featured six national exporters and 12 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from Belu Regency and its surrounding areas. Additionally, the exhibition showcased local companies and banking institutions. The products exhibited included furniture, ornamental fish and aquariums, building materials, motorcycles, other motor vehicles, motor vehicle tires, cement, cooking oil, computer equipment, agricultural tools, specialty foods, and handicrafts. Exporters are expected to be motivated to increase the volume and value of exports to Timor Leste while at the same time, they are encouraged to understand the export regulations in both Indonesia and Timor Leste as the destination country for exports. Furthermore, exporters are encouraged to establish production and warehousing facilities near the border to strengthen export competitiveness. Currently, Indonesia ranks first as the main supplier to Timor Leste. The main exports of Indonesia to Timor Leste include palm oil and its fractions, processed foods, motorcycles, cement, wheat and meslin flour, food supplies, motor vehicle engines, as well as iron and steel. During the period from 2018 to 2022, Indonesia's exports to the Timor Leste market also experienced an average annual increase of 11.41%.
