REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, CAIRO - Indonesia has potential to seize market left by Turkish products in Egypt following political tensions between two countries. Commercial Attache of Indonesian Embassy in Cairo, Fetna Yeti Winarko said Indonesia should take advantage from market opportunities in Egypt that were previously dominated by Turkey.
"It includes Indonesian export commodity," Winarko said recently.
Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce announced on August 28, 2013 that Government of Egypt would freeze its trade with Turkey, after the country recalled its ambassador from Cairo to protest the bloody tragedy in Rabiah Adawiyah earlier.
Winarko said there were two reasons to seize the market. First, Turkish commodities are highly competitive in Egypt. Second, Turkey products are similar to Indonesia's 50 major export products, such as car tires, rubber, automobile sparepart, refrigerators, freezers, electric appliances, heating and air conditioning, and motor vehicle accessories.
Bilateral trade between Indonesia and Egypt in January to April 2013 increased 5.92 percent, from 336.47 million USD to 356.39 million USD. Trade balance between Indonesia and Egypt always has surplus for Indonesia. Indonesia ranks 19th as Egypt's trading partner.
