Jakarta: Nigeria and Indonesia have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral trade and investment to support sustainable economic growth.
The pledge was made on Tuesday in Lagos through a communiqué issued at the fourth Nigerian–Indonesian Investment and Trade Forum.
The forum, with the theme ‘Unlocking Potentials and Building a Sustainable Economic Future,’ was organised by the Nigerian–Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Mr Ishmael Balogun, NICCI President, said the chamber had become a key platform for driving investment between the two nations.
He said trade between Nigeria and Indonesia rose from $ 1.73 billion in 2019 to more than $6 billion in 2023.
Balogun urged Indonesian firms to explore Nigeria’s opportunities in energy, agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, renewable energy and technology.
He said both countries were not only trading partners but builders of a bridge connecting Africa and Asia.
He emphasised that the partnership aimed to connect ideas with investment and policy with tangible progress.
Ambassador-designate Bambang Suharto reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to boosting cooperation in agribusiness, healthcare, renewable energy and manufacturing.
Suharto described both nations as diverse and resilient, bound by shared values of development and progress.
He commended NICCI for fostering strong diplomatic and private sector engagement, noting the rising trade as evidence of closer ties.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by Princess Zahrah Audu Mustapha, highlighted reforms aimed at improving Nigeria’s business climate.
He stated that the Tinubu administration is pursuing policies to streamline business registration and enhance transparency across key sectors.