"Just now we discussed planning technicalities, the negotiation strategy and economy in general," Trade Minister Thomas Lembong said at the Vice Presidents office after the meeting.
Cabinet ministers who attended the meeting include Finance Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro, Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman, Industry Minister Saleh Husein and head of Capital Investment Coordinating Board, Franky Sibarani.
The meeting also discussed trade agreements with the European Union (EU). With regard to the agreement, a team from the Ministry of Trade had met with their counterpart from the EU several times, Lembong said.
"The President in a cabinet meeting last year said that the trade agreement with the EU must be completed within two years. Our hope is we could soon complete the first stage of the agreement," he said.
As the target has been set at 2017 the agreement would be the main focus of attention of the government, Lembong said.
"Besides that we also hope to complete other trade agreements which, although they are smaller, have good potential such as the bilateral agreement with Australia," he said.
Australia is a neighbouring country that has strong buying power, is rich in capital, and close in terms of social relations to Indonesia. Based on studies it should invest more in Indonesia, the minister said.
"So it will possibly become a priority for this year. Besides Australia, we will also make agreements with four non-EU nations," he said.
Regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs is currently preparing a decision letter for the establishment of a team to study the cost of joining it, minister Lembong said.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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