The Indonesian Embassy organised a business meeting at a top hotel in Tripoli last Sunday (11 August) with several Libyan businessmen and companies under the title “How Libya can benefit from its cooperation with Indonesia”. The event was attended by the President of the General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Mohamed Al-Raied, government representatives, business leaders and representatives of the aviation industry in Libya.
In an exclusive interview with Libya Herald, Didi Ahmed Al-Rifai, Acting Chargé d’affaires of the Indonesian Embassy in Tripoli, said, on the occasion of Indonesia’s Independence Day on August 17, his country’s embassy organised this economic meeting with commercial and economic actors in Libya to introduce them to the opportunities for economic and investment cooperation with Indonesian businessmen and companies. This, considering that his country’s economy is among the fastest growing in the world, the most stable and least affected by global crises.
Indonesia to become fifth largest economy in the world by 2045
The Chargé d’affaires, referred to the remarkable progress achieved by the Indonesian economy and to the International Monetary Fund’s expectations that Indonesia will become the fifth largest economy in the world by 2045, with a GDP approaching 10 trillion US dollars and a per capita GDP of about 29,000 US dollars. Indonesia, a member of the G20, currently ranks sixteenth in the world, with a GDP of 1.3 trillion US dollars and a per capita GDP of more than 5,000 US dollars.
Growing cooperation in aviation between the two countries
He explained his government’s interest In Libya, due to the close relations over the decades, and how Libya can benefit from its cooperation with Indonesia, especially in the fields of agriculture and industry, including aircraft manufacturing. He revealed that Libyan companies, including Ghadames Aviation and Oya Aviation, have expressed interest in acquiring an Indonesian-made CN-235 aircraft, considering this step by Libyan companies a testament to the growing cooperation in the field of aviation between the two countries.
Development of more than 30 special economic and industrial zones
Al-Rifai noted Indonesia’s development of more than 30 special economic and industrial zones, including the Karawang International Industrial City (KIIC) in Jakarta, which is a living example of the development of large and integrated industrial zones in Indonesia, which open their doors to investors from all over the world, especially Libya. In this regard, Al-Rifai said, “The Indonesian Embassy in Tripoli is working with the Japanese Ambassador to encourage Japanese companies operating in a company in Karawang City KIIC to explore trade opportunities with Libya and develop a vision for this cooperation with the active governmental and private economic institutions and bodies in Libya.
Development of counter-trade arrangements
At the end of the meeting, the Chargé d’affaires at the Indonesian Embassy proposed to conduct what is called counter-trade arrangements, whereby Libya can exchange its oil for Indonesian products and services, which will further consolidate economic relations between the two countries.
Indonesia: a strategic partner for Libya
For his part, the President of the General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Mohammed Al-Raied, said that Libya is completely open to cooperation with Indonesia because of its great economic and investment capabilities that compete with the largest economic countries in the world and because the relationship with Indonesia has advantages that make it a strategic partner for Libya in various fields as it is the most developed and advanced Islamic country in many industries, expressing his amazement at the advanced industries, especially in the field of aircraft manufacturing for various uses.
Libyan trade delegation to Indonesia’s Trade Expo Jakarta from 9 to 12 October
Al-Raied confirmed the preparation of a Libyan trade delegation that includes several businessmen and Libyan companies to participate in Indonesia Trade Expo Jakarta from October 9 to 12, 2024. These events are expected to further strengthen the partnership between Indonesia and Libya and open the door to establishing new economic partnerships that will benefit both countries.
