Bakrie Revealed Obstacles in Indonesia-EU Trade Relations
- VIVA.co.id/Anisa Aulia
Jakarta, VIVA – The Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Anindya Bakrie, revealed several obstacles Indonesia has faced, particularly in establishing trade agreements with the European Union.
He acknowledged that one of the difficulties is related to the framework and business model of the trade agreement between the two parties, which has yet to be finalized in the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA).
"The challenge might be because the framework or business model is still being developed. The European Union consists of 27 countries, so it's not easy to create a unified framework or business model," Bakrie said in Jakarta on Monday (Dec 9).
Ketua Umum KADIN Indonesia, Anindya Bakrie
- VIVA/Ahmad Farhan Faris
This also includes differences in standards between Indonesia and the European Union, which often lead to differing views and cause delays in agreeing on clauses in the IEU-CEPA.
"Sometimes it takes time, because their standards are not always the same as ours," he remarked.
Nevertheless, Bakrie emphasized that there are still significant opportunities for establishing a trade agreement with the European Union.
He based this on his experience accompanying President Prabowo Subianto during a visit by Japanese businesspeople from the Japan-Indonesia Association to the Presidential Palace recently.
Regarding the trade agreement framework with the European Union, Bakrie stressed that it is a very important and strategic step for both the Indonesian government and the European Union.
This is because Indonesia can balance its trade relations with both Eastern and Western countries. As a result, opportunities to grow and develop the national economy, particularly through trade, will open up even more.
"For Indonesia, the advantage is being able to balance between the West and the East, because the European Union is a major alternative. On the other hand, Europe also needs Indonesia as a strategic partner to enter Southeast Asia or the Indo-Pacific," he concluded.
