A trade delegation of government and business officials from Indonesia visited Omaha January 18 to explore additional import opportunities of Nebraska agriculture products, such as beef and soybeans. The delegation opened their day of appointments with a breakfast, consultations and networking event hosted by State and regional officials at the Greater Omaha Chamber.
The Indonesian trade delegation was led by Mr. Enggartiasto Lukita, Minister of Trade for Indonesia, Mr. Budi Bowoleksono, Indonesia’s Ambassador to Washington, and Ms. Rosmalawati Chalid, Consul General to Chicago.
[left to right: AMB Bowoleksono; MIN Lukita; Gov. Ricketts; Rep. Bacon]
In 2016 Nebraska exported approximately $82 million in products to Indonesia, which has the world’s fourth-largest population. The exports mainly consisted of agriculture or food-related products. Indonesia is one of Nebraska’s leading importers of beef and soybeans.
Over the past decade, two-way trade between the United State and Indonesia has grown 53 percent to $25.2 billion in 2016. From 2014 to 2017, Nebraska’s exports to Indonesia grew 244.5 percent.
The delegation’s recent meeting included presentations from businesses specializing in soybean, corn and beef commodities, as well as conversations with University officials connecting with Indonesia on such shared opportunities as agriculture research, and import of Nebraska soybeans, corn and beef.
“We were pleased to join Greater Omaha, as well as the State of Nebraska, in welcoming the ambassador, trade minister and the delegation from Indonesia to share discussions around opportunities for economic growth of our two regions.”
“Indonesia is thriving, marked by decades of strong expansion. Greater Omaha is experiencing equally vibrant increases in talent, innovation and economic development. We value the relationships that we are building and look forward to continuing these important conversations.”
Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02), Governor Pete Ricketts, and Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce Senior Director of International Business Development Andrew Schilling helped lead the event. In addition to Indonesia’s Minister of Trade, Ambassador and Consul General, more than 20 representatives traveled from Indonesia to Omaha for the discussions.
