Business Connect enhances Indonesia-Djibouti ties

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Two years after reaching its independence, Djibouti established diplomatic relations with Indonesia in 1979, and the ties then continue developing rapidly.

In 2018 the bilateral trade value of the two countries was US$211.5 million with a surplus for Indonesia of 99 percent, according to the Indonesian Foreign Ministry’s website as quoted by Indonesia Window here Saturday.

Located on the horn of Africa and directly adjacent to the Red Sea, Djibouti is very important for Indonesia and other countries in the world as the main entry point for exports to many eastern African countries, especially Ethiopia.

In order to strengthen relations and cooperation with the country of nearly one million people, the Indonesian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Djibouti and the African Union, Al Busyra Basnur, has recently launched the Indonesia-Djibouti Business Connect (IDBC) in Djibouti.

The IDBC was launched at a seminar on Indonesia Economic Update organized by the Indonesian Embassy in Addis Ababa in collaboration with the Djibouti Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Djibouti City on Thursday (Nov 19).

“The IDBC is a forum for fast communication and information that fosters connectivity and enhance economic cooperation through social media applications in real time,” Ambassador Al Busyra said.

He added that the IDBC which was initiated by the Indonesian Embassy in Addis Ababa would connect Djibouti to Indonesian businesspeople and the Indonesian Embassy in Addis Ababa 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

The IDBC was launched because most business players in Indonesia and Djibouti have yet to know each other about the potentials for economic cooperation that they could develop.

The seminar was attended by around 50 Djibouti businesspersons, including Chairman of the Djibouti Chamber of Commerce Youssouf Moussa Dawaleh, and Djibouti’s former minister Badoul Hassan.

Three Indonesian business players also participated in the economic seminar via a video conference.

They were Nusolahardo from PT Behaestex; Kemas Achmad Mujoko from PT Rahasia Dana Sustainerta, and Tan Yanto Hendrawan from CV Banjar Usaha Sukses.

The event was also broadcasted in live streaming and participated in by Indonesian business players in a number of regions in the country.

Reporting by Indonesia Window