Government Fights for Indonesian Products Enter Overseas Markets
- VIVA.co.id/M Ali Wafa
Jakarta – The government will fight for access to Indonesian products to enter overseas markets such as the European Union and the United States markets. This was conveyed by the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto.
This will help Indonesian international trade bounce back after the completion of the COVID-19 pandemic status.
The Minister said that if this can be done, several Indonesian exports will increase. In this case, it will keep foreign exchange reserves at a good level.
Menko RI Airlangga Hartarto
- VIVA/ Natania Longdong
"One of the things that will advance trade between Indonesia and European Union countries is the achievement of an agreement in the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (I-EU CEPA)," Minister Hartarto said in his statement on Friday.
He also said that his parties just reported the progress of the I-EU CEPA agreement to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). A total of 21 issues have been reported to the president.
"Among others, related to Trade in Goods, State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), Government Procurement of Goods and Services, Trade and Sustainable Development, Investment Court System, Rules of Origin, Technical Barriers to Trade, Anti Fraud Clause, Energy and Raw Materials, Dispute Settlement, Intellectual Property Rights, and so on," the minister explained.
Regarding the discussion, it has now entered the fifth round, the 15th negotiation which is currently underway in Yogyakarta until July 14, 2023.
"We reported that the first strategic issue is related to the procurement of government goods and services. Obviously, they asked that the procurement of government goods and services be open and Indonesia proposed to prepare a positive list, which is goods that can be given international access."
The next issue is related to state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Indonesia's position is to reveal that there are SOEs that receive special assignments, and some that do not.
Regarding export duties, according to Minister Hartarto, Indonesia's position is to develop the industry so it will not let go.
In addition, Indonesia also requested trade access and sustainable development, especially for environmentally sound products.
"Indonesia emphasizes the importance of standardization, such as for furniture or wood is SVLK, for palm oil is ISPO or RSPO, so we ask Europe to open a bigger market for it," he concluded.
