Hopefully, the digital trade platform can encourage an inclusive economy as well as support the small and medium business players to compete in global trade.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto has discussed accelerating the completion of the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA) with the Committee on International Trade (INTA) of the European Parliament.

He said that Indonesia and the European Union are aiming to finish the discussions on the substance of the agreement by the end of 2023, according to a press release published on the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs’ website on Wednesday.

"The implementation of this comprehensive economic agreement is expected to encourage more investment opportunities and increase the trade between the two countries," he added.

During the meeting held at the coordinating ministry’s headquarters here on Monday (June 19, 2023), the minister also talked about the priorities of Indonesia's ASEAN chairmanship in the economy sector.


Related news: Minister hopes IEU-CEPA negotiation completed by end of 2023

One of the priorities is the development of a Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), he stated.

"Hopefully, the digital trade platform can encourage an inclusive economy as well as support the small and medium business players to compete in global trade," he continued.

Hartarto also highlighted the efforts made by the government of Indonesia to strengthen national food security to check the impacts of climate change.


Related news: Minister Hartarto meets EU Ambassador to discuss EUDR

In addition, he expressed appreciation for the European Union’s support for following up on the implementation of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), a cooperation commitment launched by G7 member countries for Indonesia's energy transition attempts.

Chair of the Committee on INTA, Bernd Lange, praised the joint mission carried out by Indonesia and Malaysia, supported by the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) -- an intergovernmental organization for palm oil-producing countries -- at the end of May 2023.

"We welcome the establishment of a consultation mechanism or dialogue platform (such as a task force) between Indonesia, Malaysia, and the European Union to discuss the EUDR (European Union Deforestation-free Regulation) Implementation Guidelines to not burden smallholders," he said.

Related news: IEU-CEPA projected to boost EU investment into Indonesia



Translator: Bayu Saputra, Uyu Liman
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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