During my three-year term of office, I had signed 15 (trade) agreements
Cirebon, W Java (ANTARA) - Former trade minister Enggartiasto Lukita vouched that during his three-year term of office, he had signed 15 trade agreements with other countries.

"During my three-year term of office, I signed 15 (trade) agreements," he stated during a review of a book titled "Mr Enggar is Mentor and Leader” in Cirebon, West Java, on Friday.

The former trade minister, also popularly called Enggar, highlighted the dire need for the trade agreements to boost exports since every nation is currently looking for mutually beneficial cooperation.

Lukita affirmed that while holding the trade minister’s post, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) had constantly stressed on the significance of opening export markets since Indonesia currently lags behind neighboring nations in terms of export markets.

"At that time, the president has drawn attention on whether opening new non-traditional export markets was sufficient. No, it is not since we need to tap into greater market access through (trade) agreements," he recollected.

In the course of 25 years, Indonesia had only inked eight trade agreements, so it lags behind neighboring countries, he pointed out.

With the least number of trade agreements, Indonesia encountered difficulties in exporting its commodities since every country requires mutually beneficial cooperation, he stated.

He affirmed that 13 trade agreements with other countries had yet been signed when he ended his term of office in October this year. Related news: Indonesia bore brunt of sluggish move to explore trade deals
Related news: Indonesia aims to conclude trade pacts with non-traditional markets

Translator: Khaerul Izan/Suharto
Editor: Sri Haryati
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