VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInews, Jakarta: Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan is optimistic that Indonesia-United Arab Emirates (UAE) trade and economic relations will increase. The increase was driven by the implementation of the Indonesia-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IUAE CEPA) which officially took effect on September 1, 2023.

"I am optimistic that trade between Indonesia and the UAE will increase, especially with the implementation of the IUAE CEPA on September 1, 2023," he said during a bilateral meeting with UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, in Jakarta, Sunday (3/9/2023), as quoted from a statement by the Indonesian Ministry of Trade.

The total trade between Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates in the January-June 2023 period was recorded at USD2.21 billion. Of this value, Indonesia's exports to the United Arab Emirates amounted to USD1.20 billion and Indonesia's imports from the United Arab Emirates amounted to USD1.02 billion.

Meanwhile, in 2022, the total trade between the two countries reached USD5.05 billion, an increase compared to the previous year which was recorded at USD4.03 billion.

At the meeting, Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan also proposed that a Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) at the Senior Officials level and certain Committees (Goods Trade Committee and Islamic Economy Committee) be held between the two countries. The goal is that the implementation of IUAE CEPA runs smoothly.

"With the implementation of the new IUEA CEPA, there are a number of technical issues that need to be resolved immediately between the two countries. For this reason, Indonesia proposes to the UAE to immediately hold a Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) at the Senior Official level and certain Committees (Goods Trade Committee and Islamic Economic Committee) between the two countries to resolve technical issues to ensure the smooth implementation of the agreement," he said.

Indonesia, he added, also encourages cooperation between the two businesses, for example through the Indonesia-UAE Business Forum, business roadshows, trade missions, and collaboration between the Indonesian Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Center and related parties in the UAE.

Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan explained that the Indonesian Government has issued five related technical regulations for the implementation of IUAE CEPA, namely the Minister of Finance Regulation (PMK) on the Determination of Import Duty Tariffs, PMK on the Procedures for Imposing Import Duty Tariffs on Imported Goods, and Minister of Trade Regulation (Permendag) Number 28 of 2023 concerning Provisions on the Origin of Goods and Provisions for the Issuance of Certificates of Origin for Goods of Indonesian Origin.

In addition, Minister of Trade Regulation No. 29 of 2023 on the Policy of Tariff Rate Quota Application for Import of Certain Goods and Minister of Industry Regulation No. 22 of 2023 on the Utilization of Tariff Rate Quota for Import of Certain Plastic Raw Materials. Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan also said that Indonesia continues to strive to implement the results of the 12th Ministerial Conference (MC) of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

"I support the successful organization of the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference which will be held in February 2024 in Abu Dhabi," he said.

Meanwhile, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi hoped that the implementation of IUAE CEPA will further enhance the business to business (B to B) relationship between the two countries. To encourage this, the UAE Government plans to conduct a business delegation visit to Indonesia on September 20-21, 2023.

"I propose the involvement of the Indonesia-UAE business council to support the improvement of trade performance between the two countries," Minister Thani said.

Furthermore, Minister Thani informed about the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) which will be held on November 30-December 12, 2023 in Dubai.

"We hope that Indonesian President Joko Widodo can attend the event," he added. (VOI/Andy)

VOInews, Jakarta: Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan believes that the ASEAN-BAC 2023 Chairmanship has provided an inclusive spirit to unite the business community in the region, under the theme "ASEAN Centrality: Innovating Towards Greater Inclusivity".

"This is also in line with the spirit of Indonesia's Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2023 under the theme ASEAN Matters: Epicenter of Growth," he said at the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS) 2023, in Jakarta, Sunday (3/9/2023).

Zulkifli Hasan also noted the increasing trend of trade in goods and investment flows between ASEAN member countries every year. To maintain this performance, he encouraged the strengthening of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA).

"The aim is to ensure that the agreement remains relevant, modern, and more responsive to regional and global developments," he said.

He also encouraged the completion of ongoing negotiations with dialogue partners such as Canada as soon as possible, as well as exploring new Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with strategic partners.

In addition, he said, ASEAN and partners need to start negotiations on the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) this year, which will be the foundation of ASEAN's digital economy cooperation. (VOI/Andy)

VOINews, Jakarta - President of Suriname, H.E. Chandrikapersad Santokhi attends the diplomatic reception commemorating Indonesia's Independence Day, Thursday, 31 August 2023 in Paramaribo, Suriname.

The presence of the President of Suriname at the diplomatic reception held by the Indonesian Embassy in Paramaribo is the second time in a row after the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a release received by VOI on Saturday.

Apart from the President, the presence of the Vice President, Chairperson and Members of the National Assembly, as well as a number of Cabinet Ministers emphasized the bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Suriname in various fields.

In his welcoming speech, Ambassador of Indonesia to Suriname and Guyana, H.E. Julang Pujianto conveyed the spirit of commemoration of the 78^th Republic of Indonesia’s independence-day with the theme Keep Moving Forward for Indonesia. This theme is in line with President Joko Widodo’s expectations about the opportunity for Indonesia Gold in 2045 when it will commemorate the 100^th anniversary of independence of the Republic of Indonesia.

The Indonesian Ambassador Paramaribo also conveyed the development of the Indonesian Government grant agreement to the Suriname Government which was signed in 2021.The grant agreement consists of USD 100 thousand within the framework of the Indo AID development cooperation which aims to support the welfare of Surinamese citizens of Indonesian descent.

The manifestation of the grant includes the inauguration of a documentation center on January 21, 2023, the launch of the book 133 Jaar Java Suriname on August 8, 2023, and the Culinary and Handicraft Market building being built in Mariënburg, Suriname.

“Every year August 17^th is always celebrated by all Indonesian diaspora around the world, including in Suriname," added President Santokhi.

Furthermore, President Santokhi emphasized Indonesia’s success as the largest economy in Southeast Asia and has become one of the world’s emerging market economies. According to the President, the success is inseparable from discipline, dedication, and clear vision. President Santokhi also saluted President Joko Widodo’s strong leadership in realizing the vision of a developed Indonesia.

In particular, regarding the decision to relocate the National Capital to Kalimantan for the Purpose of Inclusive and justice growth, which is projected in a relatively short time.

President Santokhi also realized the need to strengthen trade relations, bearing in mind that Suriname is Indonesia’s gateway to the Caribbean region and CARICOM. In addition, it was stated about the mutual desire between Suriname and Indonesia to form a trading house, as discussed in the Road to INALAC 2023.

The Diplomatic reception was also attended by Miss Java finalists and Miss & Mr. Tropical Beauty Suriname. The reception is also used for promotion of Indonesian arts and culture as well as tourism.

Guests were entertained by classical dance performances, Golek Ayun-Ayun and a new creation dance, Trip to Bali. While playing Indonesian folk songs, the guest also enjoyed some Indonesian specialties such as chicken satay, layer cakes, onde-onde, and semar mendem. (VOI)

VOINews, Jakarta - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has said that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) needs an extraordinary tactical strategy to face the current global turmoil.

"Amid the unwell current world situation, ASEAN needs an extraordinary tactical strategy," he underlined while opening the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit at the State Palace in Jakarta on Friday.

He emphasized the need for solid collaboration in ASEAN that prioritizes mutual interests, both in relations between countries, between entrepreneurs, and between communities.

Under Indonesia's chairmanship, the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) organized the ASEAN Business & Investment Summit 2023 that bring together more than 2,000 world leaders, CEOs, and senior executives representing multinational and regional corporations.

President Widodo then described ASEAN as a family that is harmonious, compact, and accomplished. He also quoted a saying relevant to ASEAN.

"A neighbor is like a close relative, and a close neighbor is more important than a distant relative," he said.

According to Widodo, ASEAN has been able to prove its ability to be a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region.

He said that ASEAN economic growth in 2024 is estimated to be the highest in the world, reaching 4.5 percent (year on year/yoy). ASEAN is also listed as the most attractive region for foreign direct investment (FDI).

"In 2022, the percentage of FDI in ASEAN was 17 percent. This was the highest among other developing regions," he highlighted.

With the third-largest workforce in the world, ASEAN is experiencing a demographic bonus, he noted. As much as 65 percent of ASEAN's population has the potential to become middle class by 2030.

According to him, this is a big capital for ASEAN to achieve its goal of becoming the epicenter of growth.

Given the advantages and challenges faced by ASEAN currently, it is hopedthat the ASEAN-BAC would play a bigger role in formulating and implementing tactical strategies for cross-stakeholder collaboration, President Widodo said.

It is also expected that the ASEAN Incorporated concept introduced by ASEAN-BAC will bridge communication to realize a mutually beneficial ecosystem, increase competitiveness, and improve ASEAN's prosperity, he added. (antaranews)