"We hope that the CEPA negotiations, particularly related to trade and goods, would be concluded this year," President Joko Widodo said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The governments of Indonesia and Chile are optimistic that negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) would be completed this year.

"We hope that the CEPA negotiations, particularly related to trade and goods, would be concluded this year," President Joko Widodo stated here, Friday, following a bilateral meeting with his Chilean counterpart, Michelle Bachelet.

He said President Bachelets visit to Indonesia comes at an opportune time, as Indonesia is intensifying trade and investment, and Chile is one of the priority countries.

"Trade and investment issues are the main topics during the bilateral talks," he noted.

President Widodo lauded the business delegation accompanying President Bachelet during the two-day state visit to Indonesia.

Both presidents also witnessed the signing of two memoranda of understanding on providing visa-free facility to the two countries diplomats and trade and economic cooperation between the chambers of commerce and industry of Indonesia and Chile.

"We have agreed that in future, bilateral cooperation will focus on several fields, such as fishery, strategic industries, agriculture, and the trade of agricultural products," he revealed.

The Chilean presidents visit is of key significance and is in line with the Indonesian governments priorities to expand the market for its products in South America, the ministry noted.

Indonesia has expressed hope that Chile would serve as the gateway for its products to enter South America.

Chile is Indonesias third-largest trade partner in South America. In 2016, trade between Chile and Indonesia had reached US$227 million, with Indonesia enjoying a surplus of $60.5 million.

The CEPA between Indonesia and Chile is expected to increase trade and investment between the two countries.

During her stay in Jakarta, Bachelet is also scheduled to attend a seminar on economic relations between Indonesia and Chile to be organized by the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and to meet the secretary general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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