Uzbekistan is not only about women

Talking about Indonesia's trade relations with Central Asia may not be as intimate information about Indonesian exports to several traditional markets targets, such as the United States, Europe and Japan.

In fact, according to Indonesia's Ambassador to Uzbekistan and concurrently Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, Sjahril Sabaruddin which per January 20, 2010 became ambassador to South Africa, exports to the region of former Soviet Union is increasing rapidly in 2007.

Uzbekistan with income per capita of U.S. $ 1983 (2006) has a strong magnet, such as Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan. All five countries have the economic benefits of oil and natural gas.

The potential and opportunities in Uzbekistan market large enough for industrial capability in this country is still limited to producing a variety of goods. Result, nearly 80% of consumer goods imported from other countries.

In addition, the Uzbekistan government under President Islam Karimov since 2006 began to liven up the liberalization of imports through the ease policy, tax reform, simplification of investment procedures and business establishment.

Unfortunately, the charm of Uzbekistan is still considered one eye by a majority of Indonesian businessmen, while other countries such as China, India, Turkey and Vietnam, and Malaysia secretly long to notice.

They Uzbekistan flooded with various types of products and competitive prices, such as palm oil, furniture, electronics and consumer goods, textiles, till tea. Whereas furniture products, machinery and equipment and textiles from Indonesia quite popular.

"Thailand and Vietnam had already signed and many exports to Uzbekistan," Sjharil said.

Uzbeskitan the official position of joining as a member of the Eurasian Economic Community (EAEC) in January 2006 can benefit businesses because there is uniformity Indonesia tariff.

This tariff harmonization policy will open up wider opportunities for the marketing of export products to Indonesia using Uzbekistan as a door or through other member countries, like Russia.

Bilateral Relations Indonesia-Uzbekistan is also strengthened by a number of memorandum of understanding signed in mid-May 2008 when Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda visited the country's independence in 1991.

During the visit, a number of national corporations to participate, such as PT Telkom, PT Pertamina, PT Bank Artha Graha of Indonesia, PT Istana Karang Laut, business group Bakrie & Brothers, PT Energi Bumi Persada and Earth Resources.

"The existence of this trade agreement makes tariffs for our products is only subject to 5% - 30%. That's better than ever get to 180%, "said Ambassador Sjahril.

Indonesian products coming into Uzbekistan, including rattan and wooden products, textiles and textile products, rubber, processed canned foods, tea, soap, shampoo, cocoa powder, palm oil, machine tools, automobile tires, electrical equipment, tobacco and drugs.

especially for bottled tea products ready for consumption, is a big opportunity. So far, Indonesia's tea exports in bulk directly from the tea plantations (raw material) and repackaged with a brand of tea Uzbekistan.

A number of companies that dared to enter Uzbekistan, among others, Mas Utama PT-wing exporting detergent such as soap, and PT Bumi Tangerang Mesindotama with chocolate products.

Constraints

Sjahril mentioned the complexity of payment systems and transportation constraints exporter of goods into Indonesia. Bank Artha Graha, which is a national bank is expected to open the door of the payment system services for import-export activities and facilitate the needs of traders and businessmen.

"Payment system in Uzbekistan is different and still use cash and carry system for the bank facilities is very limited," said Sjahril.

In the field of banking, Uzbekistan still tight money policy and limit the role of banks in payment transactions with foreign currency. This policy is carried out through restrictions on the circulation of foreign currencies. Priority is given only for the export of raw materials imported products.

Charge d'Affaires ad interim Embassy of Uzbekistan Kahramon A. Shakirov said it was ready to explore the possibility of cooperation with several banks such as BRI, BCA and Bank Mandiri.

Specifically to products of export-oriented SMEs, the government through PT Permodalan Nasional Madani will help facilitate the activities of capital and goods supplied to the House of Indonesia in Tashkent.

Sjahril added dubers delivery system to Uzbekistan and Central Asian countries can not directly and still pass the state such as Iran, China and Pakistan. Consequently the cost of transportation becomes expensive.

Iranian route is through the port of Bandar Abbas to the Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to use trucks and trains. If you chooes China route, their path through the port in China and then headed to Kyrgyzstan to Tajikistan and then to Uzbekistan by road.

While Pakistan route from the port of Karachi to Afghanistan and entered into Uzbekistan by road. The opening of direct flight routes and the elimination of cross-border fees Uzbekistan became an instrument agreement between the two countries discussed.

Many constraints that can be said to balance the potential benefits so great. So get ready to export your portfolio. (fahmi.achmad@bisnis.co.id)

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