Indonesia and Saudi Arabia see a lot of potential for expansion, especially Saudi Arabia is one of the biggest potential markets for Indonesia in the Middle East. Hence the two countries has agreed to double their bilateral trade value by 2020.

Trade Ministry expert for trade services Arlinda Imbang Jaya said that the total trade between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia amounted to US$8.5 billion in 2015. Indonesian exports to Saudi Arabia amounted to $3.35 billion in 2015, while imports were worth $5.14 billion.

Arlinda, while receiving a Saudi business delegation at her office in Jakarta on Wednesday said that the figures are yet to reflect the potential of both countries.

Saudi Arabia expressed its interest in cooperating with various business players including those running professional nursing care, producing pharmaceutical products, cosmetics and medical equipment.

Indonesia’s main export commodities to Saudi Arabia are textile, textile products, cars, palm oil, tuna, rubber and rubber products, plywood, paper and paper products, pulp and charcoal.

Indonesian businesses has been urged to increase the quality of their products to meet the requirements set by the Saudi authority, the Saudi Standards, Quality, and Metrology Organization ( SASO ).

Head of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Mecca Maher Jamal said that the trade partnership between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia did not match the political and cultural ties.

Saudi Arabia is ready to facilitate and help Indonesian companies to expand their businesses in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia will participate in exhibitions staged by Indonesia at the same time Indonesia will also be participating in exhibitions held in Saudi Arabia. This will help reach the goal of increasing the trade value by 15 percent every year between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.