In the light of IA-CEPA agreement, the governments of Indonesia and Australia agree to expand the markets, and urge businesses to assess the potentials of the trade cities in both countries
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Trade will push communications with the House of Representatives members to accelerate the ratification of Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) that was inked on March 4 this year, the minister Agus Suparmanto stated.

During a meeting with Australia's Trade, Tourism, and Investment Minister Simon John Birmingham, Suparmanto reaffirmed the Indonesian government's commitment to the ratification of IA-CEPA into law.

"In the light of IA-CEPA agreement, the governments of Indonesia and Australia agree to expand the markets, and urge businesses to assess the potentials of the trade cities in both countries," Suparmanto explained his meeting with Birmingham in a statement received here, Sunday.

Related news: Indonesia, Australia reach agreement on IA-CE:PA

During the meeting which was organized on the sidelines of the 35th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok on Saturday, Birmingham said Australia's parliament had set a target of ratifying the IA-CEPA by the end of this month, or no more than early December.

Apart of the agreement's ratification, the two ministers also discussed vocational education and the increase quota of working and holiday visa for Indonesian and Australian citizens.

Suparmanto also reaffirmed commitments of Indonesia's government on launching the Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) as part of the IA-CEPA agreement to his Australian counterpart.

Following the IA-CEPA, the two ministers pledge to accelerate negotiations of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), as well as the general review of ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA).

Translator: Sella Panduarsa G/Genta Tenri
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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