(Jakarta) Li Xuan, Director of Xinjiang Commerce Department, Zuo Peijiang, Director of Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation Department, Zhu Sheng, Director of Foreign Investment Management Department, Yan Jun, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group of Urumqi Commerce Bureau, and more than a dozen entrepreneurs followed, visited Indonesian Chinese Entrepreneur Association at 4:30 pm on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, and were welcomed by Chairman Zhang Jinxiong, Secretary-General Zhou Weiliang, Vice Chairman Chen Xin, Xue Tianzeng. Vice Chairman Yang Qingshun, Gao Pengcai, Xue Jingyong, Weng Hualing, Lin Songshi and other directors.
Chairman Zhang Jinxiong said, first of all, on behalf of Indonesian Chinese Entrepreneur Association, I would like to extend a warm welcome and sincere greetings to all friends who have come from afar!
Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago country, consisting of more than 17,000 islands of various sizes. The equator runs through the entire country. It has a pleasant climate, rich products, huge mineral reserves, and nearly 40% of the world's geothermal resources. It ranks first in the world in nickel reserves and production. It is also the world's largest coal exporter. It is rich in gold, silver, copper, iron, tin, oil and other resources.
As the world's fourth most populous country, Indonesia has a total population of about 280 million, with more than 300 ethnic groups and more than 700 dialects. Its culture is diverse and inclusive. Among them, more than 87% of the population believes in Islam. Indonesia is also the country with the largest Muslim population in the world. In Indonesia, halal food, agriculture, medicine, Muslim-friendly tourism, and Muslim fashion industries have made great contributions to our national economy. It is reported that in 2023, the halal-related industrial chain supported about 23% of Indonesia's total economic output.
Last year, Indonesia's GDP growth rate reached 5.3%, and its total economic output was about 1.39 trillion US dollars. Despite the complex and changing global economic situation, the Indonesian economy has shown strong resilience. In the first half of this year, Indonesia's economic growth rate remained stable at 5.08%, and it continued to maintain its leading position among the world's emerging economies.
Indonesia and China are friendly neighbors across the sea. Since ancient times, they have had extensive trade and cultural exchanges. Today, the economic cooperation between the two countries is closer and the personnel exchanges are more frequent, entering a new stage of building a community with a shared future! According to official Indonesian data, the bilateral trade volume between the two countries reached US$127.8 billion last year, and the bilateral trade volume from January to August this year has reached US$84.8 billion. China has been Indonesia's largest trading partner for 11 consecutive years and has been ranked among the top three sources of foreign investment in Indonesia for 8 consecutive years. The booming Indonesian market has become a "must-go" for Chinese companies to go overseas!
Xinjiang, like Indonesia, has many ethnic groups and rich products, a splendid culture and similar eating habits. We believe that Indonesia will be a very good investment and development destination for everyone. We very much welcome friends from Xinjiang to visit Indonesia, seek cooperation opportunities, and participate in Indonesia's economic construction with Indonesian Chinese entrepreneurs and Indonesian Muslim brothers and ethnic groups, and share the opportunities for Indonesia's economic development.
Zhang Jinxiong said that Indonesian Chinese Entrepreneur Association will continue to play a good role as a bridge for communication and cooperation between the two sides, provide necessary consultation and assistance for everyone to invest and settle in Indonesia, and make positive contributions to promoting economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges between Indonesia and China! Finally, I wish you all a successful and fruitful trip to Indonesia.
Director Li Xuan pointed out that this visit to Indonesian Chinese Entrepreneur Association has three main purposes. First, to introduce the economic and social development of Xinjiang to everyone. Second, to promote and increase Xinjiang and Indonesia in the fields of economy, trade, investment, etc. Third, to establish direct contact with Indonesian Chinese Entrepreneur Association, and hope to deepen the relationship with Indonesian Chinese Entrepreneur Association in the process of long-term cooperation in the future, laying the foundation for the next work. And express sincere gratitude to Chairman Zhang Jinxiong and everyone for their warm hospitality.
Director Li Xuan pointed out that Indonesia is Xinjiang's eighth largest trading partner. This year, the total bilateral trade volume between Xinjiang and Indonesia reached US$921 million. Indonesia's exports to Xinjiang are mainly natural resources such as minerals. Xinjiang is also one of the main tourist areas for foreign tourists. He sincerely invites entrepreneurs from Indonesian Chinese Entrepreneur Association to take time to visit Xinjiang, sightsee, investigate, and invest in Xinjiang.
