Business representatives from North China's Shanxi province and Indonesia talk at the trade and investment promotion conference, Nov 8. [Photo/Shanxi Daily]

North China's Shanxi province held a trade and investment promotion conference on Nov 8 in the Indonesian capital Jakarta.

The conference aimed to further deepen the interaction, communication, and cooperation between Shanxi and Indonesia. 

Government agencies, industrial and commercial organizations, and business representatives from both sides showcased their respective projects and products during the event. 

An official from Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy expressed hope both sides would become mutual tourist destinations and continue to strengthen their investment and trade cooperation.

Li Haiyuan, president of the Shanxi Provincial Committee of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, said Shanxi is willing to expand its imports of high-quality agricultural and aquatic products from Indonesia. 

He also expressed a desire to enhance cooperation and exchanges with Indonesia in agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, new energy, mineral resources, healthcare, education, culture, and tourism. 

Individuals and entrepreneurs from Indonesia are welcome to engage in comprehensive and in-depth cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, culture, and tourism with Shanxi, he noted. 

On the same day, 12 Shanxi-based companies began displaying their specialty products, including wine, vinegar, beef, dates, health products, and functional food, at the 21st SIAL InterFOOD in Jakarta held on Nov 8-11. This trade platform serves as an opportunity for Shanxi to explore overseas markets. 

In recent years, trade and economic cooperation between Indonesia and Shanxi have continued to expand. From January to September, Shanxi's trade with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative reached 51.66 billion yuan ($7.10 billion), a year-on-year growth of 3.3 percent, with Indonesia ranking first in trade value.