WEDF 2012 Opening Remarks: H.E. Mr. Gita Irawan Wirjawan

Excellency the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Bapak DR Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Ibu Kristiani Herawaty Yudhoyono;
Exellency Indonesian Ministers;
Excellency Ministers and Senior Government Officials from all invited countries;
Excellency Mr Pascal Lamy, Director General of World Trade Organization;
Exellency DR. Supachai Panitchpakdi, Secretary General UNCTAD;
Exellency DR. Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary General ASEAN;
Excellency Mr Sindiso Ngwenya, Secretary General COMESA;
Excellency Ms Patricia Francis, Executive Director ITC;
Distinguished Representatives of International Organizations;
Distinguished Delegates and Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning.

On behalf of the Government of Indonesia, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the World Export Development Forum 2012 with the theme Linking Growth Markets: New Dynamics in Global Trade.
Let me start by thanking Ms. Patricia Francis and all of her teams in the ITC for their support and commitment in making this event possible today. This high-level forum, with so many distinguished guest speakers and presenters, will provide a great opportunity to discuss concerns, predicaments and solutions concerning connectivity of the people, products, services and markets within Indonesia, the region and the rest of the world.
As we plan the way forward, the Growth markets will continue to gain significance in its global standing perspective.

The OECD anticipates that while the developed world contribute about 60 percent of the world’s GDP in the 1990s, it will be reversed in less than two decades. Emerging countries will contribute 60 percent of the global GDP by 2030. Indonesia, as a trillion dollar economy, will play a major part in this transition.
That being said, there are four elements that will require a cohesive and prudent policy approach:

• recalibrating global trade focus;
• finding new ways to further integrate growth markets into global
• trade;
• improving competitiveness and connectivity; and
• distributing the benefits of closer economic integration fairly.

Thus, discussions at this forum will help us address these challenges and further deepen integration process with trading partners in the region and beyond.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen.

The agenda for this timely forum has much space for thoughtful discussion and creative thinking.
Today, we will set the tone by inquiring what the emergence of growth markets means for the future and explore the important issues of infrastructure development, trade facilitation and connectivity.

Tomorrow, we will focus on some inter-related topics that are critical to strengthening supply chains, adding value and meeting the demands of emerging consumers in growth markets.

And on the last day, delegates will turn their attention to the equally important issue of trade finance.
I am confident that you will find the topics interesting and in the process I hope new insights and innovative ideas emerge. Thus, if we are able to overcome these obstacles, not only will we achieve efficiency but we also achieve inclusive growth with positive spillovers beyond our borders.

I am also confident that the Government of Indonesia will continue to engage various stakeholders in developing policies and strategies.

With this regards, I wish to acknowledge and thank the ITC once again for its support in organizing this important event. Indeed, ITC is an important partner in facilitating the expansion of trade in growth markets.

Therefore, I encourage all participants to actively take part in the discussions. Utilize this wonderful opportunity over these next few days to share your concerns and engage in constructive discussion.
I wish you all well in your discussions. Thank you.