The Department of Trade and Industry, or DTI, has pitched mineral processing, halal, and creative industries as sectors where the Philippines and Indonesia could increase collaboration.

Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual on Wednesday met with Indonesian businessmen who were part of the delegation of President Joko Widodo in his official visit.

“I urge Filipino and Indonesian business leaders to seize this opportunity to enhance bilateral trade and investment,” Pascual said during the Joint Philippines-Indonesia Roundtable Meeting in Makati City.

He urged Filipino and Indonesian businessmen to explore partnerships in processing nickel and copper, as both countries are rich in natural resources; halal sector and creative industries.

Nickel-rich nations

“Our nations are both rich in nickel and copper — vital for green technologies such as electric vehicles. By leveraging these resources and close collaboration, we can facilitate a transition towards a sustainable, low-carbon economy,” he said. Pascual said the halal sector is an untapped potential for both countries.

“Such measures align with Indonesia’s goal to enhance regional connectivity, catalyzing the flow of goods and invigorating the trading routes between the Philippines and Indonesia,” Pascual said.

He also called on Filipino and Indonesian businesses to forge partnership in creative industries with the signing of the memorandum of understanding on the Creative Economy in 2022, noting that “the time is ripe to harness its full potential” of the said cooperation.

“The Philippines is eager to forge strong ties with Indonesian enterprises, sharing insights and strategies to amplify the benefits of this agreement. We see vibrant opportunities for collaboration in film, gaming, and animation sectors... We invite our Indonesian counterparts to explore these avenues with us as we open our doors to expanded collaborations and operations,” he added.