Chairman of the East Java Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Adik Dwi Putranto invites Canada to invest in East Java because East Java has enormous potential with economic growth reaching 4.9% in 2023.

"We are very grateful to the Ambassador of Canada for giving time to East Java entrepreneurs to discuss, about trade and investment. We hope there will be cooperation in trade, investment, including education. Because Kadin also takes care of education, especially vocational education," said Adik when meeting with the Ambassador of Canada to Indonesia YM Jess Dutton in the discussion activity "Do Business with Canada" in Surabaya, Tuesday night (28/2/2024).

Present on the occasion were a number of Deputy Chairmen and administrators of Kadin East Java along with around 53 entrepreneurs engaged in various business fields.

To YM Jess Dutton, Adik revealed that the East Java economy is currently experiencing quite good growth, reaching 4.9%. The largest contribution was given by the manufacturing sector which reached 1.25%, including the downstream industry. Second is the trade sector with its contribution of 1.09% because East Java is the hub of 19 provinces in Indonesia. Furthermore, construction with a contribution of 0.48% and agriculture by 0.22%.

Meanwhile, investment in East Java is also quite good and continues to increase every year with a composition of foreign investment (PMA) of 56.3%. Of this amount, 52.1% is downstream, including the manufacturing industry. "With the situation as I mentioned, East Java is a province that has great potential in trade and investment. So we also invite Canadian entrepreneurs to invest in East Java," he said, in a release from Kadin Jatim, Wednesday (28/2/2024).

Adik revealed, previously the East Java entrepreneurs have also cooperated in the field of processed wood and the results are quite satisfactory. In addition, processed food and beverage products. He hopes that the discussion will be followed up so that economic growth in East Java can continue to grow every year.

Canadian Ambassador to Indonesia YM Jess Dutton said that his visit aims to strengthen commercial cooperation to increase trade between the two countries, including in East Java to increase the prosperity of the people.

Therefore, he invited representatives from the Canadian Ambassador's trade sector in order to establish cooperation with local companies in East Java. In addition, there are also representatives from Export Development Canada (EDC) and the aim is to help Canadian companies to cooperate and enter the Indonesian market.

"We see the potential in the Indonesian region. We see the number and value of Indonesia's economy, demographics and the factor that Indonesia will become the world's largest power by 2050," he said.

The cooperation offered is in the technology sector, energy transition and green industry, as well as agricultural technology. "Some Canadian companies can fulfil these needs. They can also help with energy transition, green technology as essential infrastructure. This country is growing very fast. And President Joko Widodo has emphasised infrastructure development throughout Indonesia," he said.

Canada is also interested in negotiating with Indonesia and establishing trade co-operation so that both parties will benefit. "We are looking for local partners. Indonesia is very far from Canada and the system is very far from Canada. So having a partner who understands the rules and stuff is very important. Because one of the challenges for Canadian companies in Indonesia is regulation. I'm sure many companies have regulatory challenges. But with the agreement, more doors will open between the two parties," said YM Jess Dutton.

On this occasion, he also appreciated the peaceful elections that Indonesia had held. "We hope the new government will be a reliable partner in technology and capability. Indonesia is a priority partner that we want to support. Canada wants to contribute to improving the welfare and economy of both parties," he concluded.