VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates have started negotiations on Indonesia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IUAE-CEPA) to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries. The Indonesian Minister of Trade Muhammad Lutfi at the launching ceremony in Bogor, West Java, last Thursday, September 2, said that these negotiations marked a new chapter in trade relations between the two countries. On this occasion, Indonesian Minister of Trade Muhammad Lutfi and the Minister of Foreign Trade of the United Arab Emirates, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, signed a joint statement on the launch of the IUAE-CEPA negotiations.

Trade Minister Lutfi said this launch marked the start of the first round of Indonesia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement negotiations which were held from September 2 to 4, 2021. The two countries are committed to the comprehensive economic agreement that will be completed within one year from its launch or in 2022.

Muhammad Lutfi believes the IUAE-CEPA will be completed within one year because pre-negotiations have been carried out. In addition, the United Arab Emirates is also committed to signing the cooperation agreement immediately.

According to Lutfi, there are three main things that make the comprehensive economic agreement important for Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates. First, historically, it is Indonesia's first negotiation with a country in the Gulf region. For the United Arab Emirates this is also the first negotiation with trading partners in Asia. Second, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates as the two main economic powers need to strengthen cooperation so that they can complement each other. Third, the comprehensive economic agreement is expected to be not only a collaboration between the government and the government but also between business actors and the people of the two countries. Muhammad Lutfi emphasized that the IUAE-CEPA significantly encourages increased productivity, innovation, job creation, business collaboration, and contributes to poverty alleviation for both parties.

Meanwhile Minister Al Zeyoudi said bilateral relations between the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia have been going on for a long time based on close cultural ties. Both countries are also committed to enabling greater economic development and people's prosperity. He emphasized that the IUAE-CEPA will be the basis for a closer partnership for mutual progress by creating new opportunities, attracting greater investment and employment, and accelerating global economic recovery.