Indonesian President Joko Widodo graced the joint roundtable discussion of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) held recently in Makati City as part of his threeday official state visit to the Philippines.

PCCI President Enunina V. Mangio said that the joint meeting essentially discussed the expansion and strengthening of Philippines-Indonesia bilateral economic ties in key areas beneficial for both countries.

“We are honored with the presence of Indonesian President Widodo, who attentively listened and welcomed the partnership of Philippines and Indonesia chambers in terms of increasing trade and investments as well as creating more business opportunities for its people,” Mangio said, adding that among the common areas of interest identified were mining, agriculture specifically on livestock management, trade, and the digital economy.

She said that the meeting also discussed how both countries can leverage on their mineral resources with the development of new technologies that will need nickel, cobalt and other minerals that both countries have in abundance; strengthening the Halal ecosystem and developing the livestock industry to ensure food security; utilizing the Davao-Bitung Ro-Ro route to expand trade; and, actualizing the 2022 Memorandum of Understanding on the creative economy, which also covers digital security. The meeting agreed to create specific working groups to work on these initiatives.

Indonesia remains as one of the Philippines’ important trading partners. In 2022, total trade between the two countries reached US14.39 billion, an increase of 57 percent from the previous year.

Present during the meeting were Secretary Alfredo Pascual and Undersecretary Allan Gepty of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Minister Erick Thohir of the State-Owned Enterprise of Indonesia.

Aside from Mangio, also in attendance were other PCCI officers George T. Barcelon, Chairman; Jude G. Aguilar, Vice President for International Affairs; Michael Tan, Vice President for Industrial Affairs; Ma. Alegria S. Limjoco, Vice President for Regional Affairs; Dennis Uy, Director of Information and Communications Technology (ICT); Sergio Ortiz-Luis, Jr., Senior Advisor and Treasurer; Dr. Alberto Fenix, Jr., Senior Advisor; Dr. Henry Basilio, Vice Chairman of Transportation and Logistics; Sergio Antonio Ortiz-Luis, Vice Chairman of the Youth Committee; Mr. Edwin Glindro, Acting Secretary General.