Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The total value of trade between Indonesia and China is expected to reach US$80 billion in 2015.

"In 2011 the value of trade between Indonesia and China was recorded at around US$60 billion and it is expected to reach US$80 billion in 2015," Chinese consul Lie Chuen said at the opening of "Hong Kong-Guangdong Lifestyle Expo" here on Thursday.

He said he was optimistic the target would be met in view of the close cooperation between the two countries so far.

He said the expo on lifestyle products was very important because it involved three cities, namely Jakarta, Hong Kong and Guangdong whose population`s lifestyles are similar.

He said the relations between the two countries are very good marked by the planned visit by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to China soon.

Indonesian Minister of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Businesses Syarifuddin Hasan meanwhile said the export was important for exchange of ideas between the two countries` small and medium businesses.

He said Indonesia, China and India are three Asian countries that have recorded positive growth while the world is facing a financial crisis.

The expo organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council lasts from March 15 to 17.

The Council spokesman Joe Kainz said the event was aimed at bridging bilateral trade between Hong Kong and Indonesia.

"We hold this expo to help Hong Kong companies seek a new market and meet them with new buyers," he said.

He said the Council also wished to increase awareness of the Indonesian businessmen of the good quality of products from Hong Kong and Guangdong.

Lifestyle Expo has earlier been held in China, Budapest in Hungary, Mumbai in India and Warsaw in Poland. (*)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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