Vietnam has potential to export products to Indonesia, mainly food and agro-aquatic products.

The remark was made during a workshop themed “Access to Indonesianmarkets towards ASEAN integration” held by the Investment and TradePromotion Centre in collaboration with the Indonesian Consulate Generalin Ho Chi Minh City on May 8.

At the event, Deputy Chairman ofHCM City’s Vietnam-Indonesia Friendship Association Nguyen AnhNgoc said Vietnamese businesses now have opportunities to invest in thewholesale and retail, mining and industrial sectors in the islandcountry.

The Indonesian government has also eased restrictionson importing 38 fruits and vegetables since 2013, making it a promisingoption for international producers and exporters, including those fromVietnam , he said.

In particular, Vietnam has substantial potential with rice exports to Indonesia due to rising demand in the country.

According to Donna Gultom, Director of ASEAN Cooperation underIndonesia’s Ministry of Trade, foreign companies should prepare exportlicences and provide documentation of the products’ origins and qualitywhen exporting goods to Indonesia.

Additionally, the use of Indonesian language labels for imported, packaged food and beverage products is mandatory.

Trade between Vietnam and Indonesia has annually risen 25 percent in the past 5 years.

In 2014, Vietnam exported goods worth 2.89 billion USD toIndonesia while importing about 2.49 billion USD in commodities.

Vietnam shipped mainly phones and spare parts, steel, machines,garments, rice and coffee while importing rubber and wooden products,confectionary and cereals.-VNA