Port Blair, Dec 30: The Indonesian-India Seminar & Business Forum was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia supported by Aceh Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KADIN) and Andaman Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ACCI) on 29.11.2018 in which the Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Mr. Chetan B Sanghi was the Chief Guest.
In his opening remarks Dr. Arifi Saiman, Head of Centre for Policy Analysis & Development on Asia – Pacific & African Region explained in detail the fields where the Chambers of Commerce of KADIN and ACCI can venture into which will facilitate business relations.
There are numerous economic potentials and opportunities which can be explored further by business circles from Aceh & North Sumatra and Andaman & Nicobar Islands, which among others include Tourism, particularly cruise tourism and eco-tourism; air connectivity and sea connectivity, energy, agriculture / plantation, fishery, education, infrastructure and even outbound investment.
Mr. Girish Arora, President, ACCI in his address emphasized the areas which will facilitate both Chambers to play as a platform to take up and implement action to promote development and bilateral economic relations between Aceh-Indonesia Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Andaman Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
In his address on the occasion, the Chief Secretary said that though Indonesia and A&N Island have a lot of potentials in coming together, not much has been done in the past. The Chief Secretary informed about the official visit of the Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi to Indonesia and his meeting with President of Indonesia, wherein both the leaders underlined the importance of stronger connectivity particularly on sea links, in order to facilitate economic cooperation and people to people contact between two maritime neighbours and comprehensive strategic partners.
They have welcomed the plan to build connectivity between A&N and Indonesia to unleash the economic potential of both areas.
Due to the effort of the Prime Minister of India and President of Indonesia who agreed to increase the bar in creation of depth of our cooperation, such efforts are being made in establishing better relationships in the field of business and cooperation between A&N and Indonesia.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Andaman Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Aceh Indonesia Chamber of Commerce and Industry to promote development and bilateral economic relation by providing a platform for businessmen to meet, discuss and explore business opportunity in trade, investment transfer of technology, service and other industrial sectors, was also signed on this occasion.
Consequent upon signing the MoU a pioneer trade expedition from Malahayati Port in Banda Aceh to Port Blair will be reaching on 1st January, 2018 to enhance business connectivity between A&N Islands and Provinces in Sumatra particularly Aceh and North Sumatera. The Andaman Chamber of Commerce & Industry heartily welcome the pioneer trade expedition to Port Blair which also bring about 80 items including construction materials like cement, wood, crushed stone, fruits, vegetables, etc. The Chamber expect that once it is materialized the trade between Banda Aceh and Port Blair can be explored in a better way.
