Chilean trade agencies have moved to bolster relationships with Indonesian fresh produce importers ahead of anexpected free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries.
The Embassy of Chile in Indonesia, the Trade and Commercial Office of Chile in Indonesia and the Chilean Fruit ExportersAssociation (ASOEX) organised a workshop for the Indonesian fresh fruit trade on Wednesday (1 November).
The day-long event focused on providing importers and retailers with an overview of the 2016/17 Chilean fresh produce export campaign and a preview of the upcoming season.
Staged at the Chilean Embassy in Jakarta, the event washosted by Gonzalo Mendoza Negri, the Chilean ambassador, and Juan Enrique Moya, Chile’s agricultural andcommercial attaché to Indonesia.
Moya said the activity: “comes at a significant time for Chilean-Indonesian relations, with the two countries currently finalising details of a Comprehensive Economic PartnershipAgreement (CEPA) between Chile and Indonesia.'
Once the CEPA is finalised, Chile will become the first South American country to have an FTA with Indonesia, following on from similar deals it has signed with Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam.
Table grapes – principally Red Globe – currently account for an estimated 93 per cent of Chilean fruit exports to Indonesia, followed by smaller volumes of kiwifruit and pears.
