The Governments of Indonesia and Australia are seeking to immediately complete the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) negotiations, as they seek the grounds that hampered the negotiations.

Indonesian Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita stated that Australian Minister of Trade, Tourism and Investment Stephen Ciobo has affirmed his country`s commitment to finish negotiations between the two largest economies in Southeast Asia by 2018.

Indonesia`s commitment, he continued, was indicated by the visit of the Indonesian Negotiators Team to Sydney some time ago, which aimed to find common grounds on some issues that caused the delay of negotiations at the end of 2017.

The completion of the CEPA negotiations has been delayed, even though both sides have intensified the negotiations at all levels by the end of 2017. After reflecting to thoroughly examine the different positions, the two negotiating teams consulted on March 6 and 7, in Sydney.

From the meeting, the two negotiating teams identified a number of issues to be renegotiated in the near future.

Lukita and Ciobo stressed the need for a package of agreements, acceptable to both Indonesian and Australian stakeholders.//antara

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) raised gender and economic issues during a meeting with New Zealand Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy in a state visit to Wellington, also marking the 60th anniversary of Indonesia-New Zealand diplomatic relations.Bey Machmudin, head of the presidential press bureau, noted in a statement received by ANTARA on Monday that the president highlighted gender equality as a means to forge bilateral relations.President Jokowi is one of the world`s champions for the "HeForShe" campaign. The global campaign, initiated by the UN Women, has a goal of achieving equality by encouraging men and boys to serve as the agents of change and take action against inequalities faced by women and girls.As part of his commitment to improve women`s representation in decision-making processes, the president has doubled the number of women ministers at the cabinet level, from four to eight.In addition to the shared vision on addressing gender equality issues, President Jokowi noted that Indonesia and New Zealand are both archipelagic nations. With such geographical conditions, he believes that the challenge of connectivity holds significance for both countries.Indonesia and New Zealand have shared sound relations based on the two principles of mutual respect and benefit.Hence, the president opined that these sound relations should be maintained through various forms of cooperation, including in the fields of economy and people-to-people contacts.//antara

Transport Minister Budi Karya Sumadi has offered Indian investors a number of infrastructure projects from port, airport and railway projects in Indonesia.Minister Budi said addressing an India-Indonesia Infrastructure Forum (IIIF) in Jakarta on Monday that foreign investors are encouraged to be involved in the construction of ports, and airports, especially those having experience in the sector.The former chief executive of state-owned airport operator Angkasa Pura I said offering infrastructure operation such as airport and seaports operations to foreign investors is not the same as selling assets to foreign investors.According to the minister, limited concession for management of infrastructure is offered on a number of considerations such as the need for fund and technology, he added.In addition, Indonesia is also expected to be able to increase competitiveness in offering investment projects.//antara

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) promoted Indonesia`s digital economy during a meeting with New Zealand businessmen and CEOs at the Majestic Centre of Wellington, on Monday ( 19 March ). Bey Machmudin, head of the presidential press bureau, noted in a statement received by ANTARA on Monday that the President revealed that the Indonesian economy is currently transforming following the rise of the digital economy and the increasing number of middle-class people. The country no longer depends on the export of raw commodities, he added.

"In order to support the economic transformation, the government is serious in realizing the fundamental economic reform," Jokowi stated.

As a result, Indonesia`s ranking in ease of doing business index has increased from 120th in 2014 to 72nd in 2018, according to a survey conducted by the World Bank.

"It increased by 48 points only in four years," the President pointed out.

Indonesia has also received the predicate of Investment Grade from three world rating agencies, namely the "Standard and Poor", "Moodys" and "Fitch". The country`s economy grows more than 5 percent per year, indicating double growth every 14 years.

"Our economy is currently transforming with the emerging e-commerce. Based on our data, around US$2 billion to US$3 billion per year is invested in the e-commerce," President Jokowi revealed.

New Zealand is ranked first in terms of ease of doing business according to the World Bank survey for two consecutive years. Therefore, President Jokowi expects Indonesia to follow New Zealand`s steps by gaining experiences from its businessmen and officials.

The President specifically instructed the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) head Thomas Lembong to gather experiences and knowledge from other countries to achieve Indonesia`s target of becoming top 40 countries in the World Bank`s Ease of Doing Business Index by the end of next year. ( antara )