VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia Enggartiasto Lukita addresses three trade issues when meeting Minister of Trade, Tourism and Australian Investment Simon Birmingham on the sidelines of the G20 Ministerial Meeting on Trade and Digital Economy activities at
Tsukuba, Japan, Saturday (6/8). 

"Today we discuss three important issues, namely the development of Indonesian ratification − Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA), Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP), and WTO reform, "said the Minister of Trade.

At the meeting, the Minister of Trade explained three issues discussed, namely development ratification of Indonesia − Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA), Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP), and WTO reform. First, the two countries agreed on IA-CEPA entering the ratification process after signed. To meet the needs of the business community, Indonesia and Australia will accelerate the process so that it can be officially utilized by all parties.

"We agreed to accelerate the completion of the IA-CEPA ratification process so that cooperation Indonesia-Australia trade and investment can be immediately implemented, "continued the Minister of Trade. 

Secondly, Indonesia as the country coordinator requested Australia's support to be more flexible
in imposing trade rates on RCEP member countries that do not yet have an agreement trade with Australia.

"We ask Australia not to impose excessive trade rates on the state RCEP members who do not have a trade agreement with Australia, "said the Trade Minister.
The Minister of Trade also added that Indonesia encouraged all member countries to act realistic and willing to agree on steps to achieve settlement of negotiations substantial at the end of this year. 

Third, Indonesia supports WTO reforms. According to the Minister of Trade, there needs to be a difference clear between processes and substance in WTO reform. This was also conveyed to the APEC 2019 Minister of Trade meeting in Chile a few months ago. The current focus and reform priority of the WTO is on the selection of Appellate Body members. WTO reforms are expected to be able to effectively restore the WTO's functions
the multilateral trading system, as well as the credibility of the WTO in the eyes of the world.

Bilateral meeting with China

In addition to meeting with Australia, the Minister of Trade also held bilateral meetings with China's Deputy Minister of Commerce, Wang Shouwen. On this occasion, Indonesia requesting direct delivery of wallet bird products and Indonesian agricultural products to the market China which is still widely exported through Viet Nam. The Chinese Vice Minister of Trade welcomed both Indonesian requests and will coordinate with relevant parties for
follow up on this.

"China welcomed the demand for wallet nest products and agricultural products "Indonesia can directly enter the Chinese market without going through other countries," said the Trade Minister. (kemendag)