Through multilateral forums, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), Indonesia actively calls on other countries to continue to facilitate trade activities as the key to joint economic recovery in the pandemic.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister's Director of Trade, Commodities, and Intellectual Property Antonius Yudi Triantoro stated that international trade is one of the vital factors to realize the country's economic recovery.

"International trade is one of the keys to economic recovery," Triantoro remarked at "Indonesia's Active Free Foreign Policy: In Economic-Political Cooperation in the Midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic" held online here on Wednesday.

Triantoro observed that Indonesia was currently conducting diplomacy with various countries to open international trade markets in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.


Related news: Indonesia's trade surplus supported by robust economic recovery

This approach of diplomacy is Indonesia's response to the other countries' tendency to set protectionist policies on international trade activities during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially when it is related to health products, he added.

However, he believes that trade protectionism is an anti-free market policy, wherein countries that apply such policies restrict or do not participate in international markets.

"It is fair since they also look into their domestic needs. However, this can make matters worse," he pointed out.

Thus, Triantoro noted that through multilateral forums, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), Indonesia actively calls on other countries to continue to facilitate trade activities as the key to joint economic recovery in the pandemic.

Related news: Indonesia's trade balance records surplus of $2.59 billion in July

He noted that Indonesia harnesses the WTO's Dispute Settlement Forum to expedite the resolution of foreign trade disputes with the European Union related to the black palm oil campaign case and the argument with Australia related to anti-dumping duties on Indonesian paper products.

"If the cases are resolved, it will accelerate Indonesia's trade," he affirmed.

Triantoro believes that the success of Indonesia's export promotion can maximize the potential of its MSMEs and creative economy that is considered to be huge.

Hence, Triantoro believed that international trade is part of the comprehensive policy undertaken by the Government of Indonesia to handle the social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.


Related news: Synergy key to adapt to digital era, pandemic: Trade Ministry

Related news: PEN fund placements yield Rp218.9 trillion in support for MSMEs: govt

Translator: Putu S, Kenzu T
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2021