REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SHANGHAI -- China will increase imports of electronic components from Indonesia to make up for the stoppage of its import from the United States following the trade war involving the world's two largest economies. Electronic components are high in demand here, Indonesian Ambassador to China Djauhari Oratmangun said on Saturday.
"The opportunity is open for us to increase exports to this country," he remarked.
Djauhari said Indonesia's exports of electronic components to China are valued around US$4 billion per year or the same as Indonesia's exports of bio-diesel.
Indonesia also exports household furniture, timber and processed products of timber valued around US$3 billion, he said.
"Increase in the exports of electronic components and other commodities could reduce the deficit in trade with China reaching US$5 billion last year," he said before flying to Jakarta to be home to welcome Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang, who will visit Indonesia at the invitation of President Joko Widodo.
The ambassador said the Chinese-Indonesian bilateral trade is valued around US$65 billion and the figure is expected to continue to swell. "They also just give us an opportunity to export tropical fruits such as mangosteen, pineapple, and durian. in addition to swallow nests," he said .
Prime Minister Li Keqiang will hold a state visit to Indonesia from May 6-8 this year.
Li is scheduled to meet with President Joko Widodo on Sunday.