Malaysia and Indonesia have made a commitment to increase two-way trade to an estimated 30 billion USD by 2015 despite being faced by short-term challenges, reported Malaysia’s national news agency Bernama.

The news agency quoted Malaysia's International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed as saying that efforts would be made to promote and encourage private sector investments in both countries.

The minister is on a three-day working visit to Indonesia to boost bilateral trade ties.

In 2012, total two-way trade between Malaysia and Indonesia stood at 20 billion USD and is expected to grow to 21 billion USD this year.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Indonesian Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan in Jakarta on Nov. 25, Mustapa said he would lead a large mission to Indonesia next year to promote Malaysia as an ideal trade and investment destination.

He noted that at the meeting with Indonesia Trade Minister Gita, both ministers agreed to revive the Malaysia-Indonesia Joint Trade and Investment Committee in a move to solve several two-way trade issues, after the committee's last meeting in 2008. The two sides have decided to probably hold the next meeting in Jakarta in March.

Malaysia would assume the ASEAN chair in 2015 and in this regard would promote the country as an investment destination besides promoting intra-ASEAN trade.-VNA