Nigeria: Indonesia Gives Citizens Incentives for Int'l Expo

Source from:  This Day (Lagos) 20 September 2008 09/23/2008

Indonesia has put in place a number of incentives that will make attendance by Nigerians at this year's Trade Expo Indonesia , the country's largest, fun and as profitable as possible. Speaking in an interview in Abuja, the Minister Counsellor at the Indonesian Consulate, Mr. Henry Samosir, said among the enticements are an Investment Forum, match-making sessions/business facilitation by the Indonesian Embassy and expeditious processing of visas and Travel Services value-priced all-inclusive packages. He said the event, billed for 21-25 October in Kemayoran - Jakarta, Indonesia , where over 1,000 companies leading in their different spheres of operation in that country would welcome participants from Nigeria and other parts of the world. Already, he said, over 100 passports from Nigerian entrepreneurs were at the Indonesian embassy office in Lagos, where it has established an international trade promo centre, to obtain visa stamps. The envoy told THISDAY that to make the trip even more comfortable for the Nigerian delegation, Indonesian embassy officials would accompany them to the fair to minister to their needs because of the high regard the country has for Nigeria as a nation with huge market opportunities. Samosir however complained of the way some of the Nigerians that participated in previous fairs were "scattered" and stressed the need for them to be more organized so they could better enjoy the benefits of the expo. According to him, underlying the fair is the promotion of understanding and friendship, with a healthy investment prevailing in that country, especially with the government having adjusted to modern business regulations. Samosir also guaranteed that there was a high control of quality in the production and offer of goods and services in Indonesia, noting that any country or business outfit that is not serious about its standards would lose out in competition, a fact of which, he said, Indonesian entrepreneurs were very conscious. Organised by the Indonesian Ministry of Trade National Agency for Export Development, NAFED, the exhibition is meant for federal, state ministries and agencies, small and medium enterprises, agro-businesses, including food processing companies, textile firms, publishers and others in the book trade, to mention a few. "You are well assured of finding the latest and the finest of Indonesian export products, direct from producers," said a statement by Tri Mardjoko, Coordinator of the Buyers Service Team. "More than 1,000 companies leading in their respective types of merchandise and commodies are happy to welcome and serve your discerning business needs, from natural resource-based rattan and wooden products through to manufacturing products. "The trade fair will exhibit all kinds of Indonesian export products covering textiles and garments, fashion and accessories, furniture, paper products, agricultural, horticultural, forestry and tobacco products." Other products to be on display are plasticware and glassware, household goods, chemical products, heavy machinery, electrical equipment, handicrafts, metal products, cosmetic, among many more. Enditem