The Indonesia Mini Expo was held in Lagos on Wednesday. Mark Idiahi, Publisher of African Future Leadership Magazine (AFLM) was present on the occasion and had a one-on-one session with the Ambassador of Indonesia AVM Dr. Usra Hendra Harahap, M.Si (ret). They discussed about more bilateral trade opportunities and possible collaboration between Nigeria and Indonesia. Excerpts ….
AFLM: So nice to meet you.
AVM Dr. Usra: Yeah, thank you!
AFLM: My name is Mark Idiahi, publisher of the African Future Leadership Magazine. When I heard of this event, I decided that I wouldn’t send somebody that I wanted to be here myself that’s how much premium I placed on the relationship between Indonesia and Nigeria.
Over the years, you have been on the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Indonesia do you think that we are making progress in terms of relationship and business wise?
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AVM Dr. Usra: Yeah, of course. In business area, we increased our relationship because we also have many programs. We invited Nigerians and businessmen from other countries to come to Indonesia for Indonesia Mini Expo last November.
So, hundreds of Nigerians came and made a lot of transactions with their counterparts from Indonesia. On the other hand, Nigerians also organised an event of the day for businesses and many Indonesians also came. In Indonesia, we collaborate to make Indonesia and Nigeria to get in touch in a place.
So now today, we call the program a Mini Expo not large or big but quiet; good to pick up our products from Indonesia. That’s why it is a good chance for businessmen from both countries to get in touch. Even the buyers and sellers work together and we will continue by the dictate of the business itself as long as they get acquainted on both sides.
AFLM: As a nation, Nigeria is in a very critical stage because we are about to transit from one government to another. Do you think that would have a positive impact in business? Are you optimistic about this new government?
AVM Dr. Usra: Oh yes, of course because all the governments think the same thing. All the leaders think the same thing on how to promote and enhance their economy. I am very optimistic that the new government will also enhance the economy better. So no problem at all. The economic problem now, we believe it can be solved.
AFLM: What do you have to say to the Nigeria businessman out there who has been hoping and wishing to have an opportunity to go into Indonesia to do business, partnership and collaboration? What word do you have for such Nigerians?
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AVM Dr. Usra: We hope that Nigerians, many Nigerian establishments will ever invest in Indonesia. We have a good opportunity in Indonesia right now because we have a new capital city. We are moving from Jakarta to the new one called Kalimantan Island, formerly Borneo Island. I am already trying to promote through the Chamber of Commerce that any Nigerian with capital or resources will be able to invest in Indonesia.
There are many sectors in the Indonesian capital city, probably they build infrastructures, houses, buildings, roads, installation for electricity and so on. It is a very open business environment. And we can connect them to the government in Indonesia if they are able to make it. The very important one is anyone who would like to invest in Indonesia and is very consistent on that, we will provide the “golden visa”.
AFLM: Golden visa, I want you to elaborate more on this.
AVM Dr. Usra: Yeah, golden visa is created by our immigration for the investor who already has a lot of investments in Indonesia.
AFLM: So, for a Nigerian who has investment interest in Indonesia this golden visa helps to facilitate his going into Indonesia to do business?
AVM Dr. Usra: Yes. If you are already consistent on that then the embassy promotes you to the immigration. Okay, immigration this man already has investment, very good and consistent just provide him with the golden visa. This recommendation is from the embassy.
AFLM: Interesting, thank you very much.
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