"I support ASEAN-BAC Indonesia in implementing its priority programs and their derivatives during this year's chairmanship period. I also fully support the holding of the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit and Roundtable Dialogue Series in September 2023," Hasan said in a written statement released in Jakarta on Thursday.
The minister also welcomed the advisory council's efforts to intensify consultation and advocacy with ASEAN governments in a bid to establish stronger lines of cooperation and collaboration between governments and private players.
He also called for ASEAN-BAC's support for Indonesia's ASEAN chairmanship this year, particularly the Trade Ministry's efforts to realize the seven priority economic deliverables (PEDs).
The PEDs include the ASEAN Services Facilitation Framework (ASFF), the signing of the Second Protocol to Amend the Agreement Establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA), and the establishment of a supporting unit for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta.
The deliverables also include the development of ASEAN Industrial Project-Based Initiatives as well as the full implementation of electronic certificates of origin for imported commodities (e-Form D) through a regional electronic economic platform called ASEAN Single Window.
The remaining two PEDs concern the Leader's Statement on Developing the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework (DEFA) and the Roadmap of ASEAN Harmonized Standards to Support Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Implementation.
"I also expect ASEAN-BAC to provide suggestions and support to Indonesia in finding joint solutions to address various market access obstacles being faced by business actors," Hasan stated.
Minister Hasan also sought support from the council in the country's efforts to complete four priority negotiations, namely negotiations on upgrading the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), ASEAN China FTA (ACFTA), the finalization of ASEAN Canada FTA (ACAFTA), and RCEP implementation.
He informed that after the consultation meeting between ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) and ASEAN-BAC, Indonesia will launch the "New ASEAN Tariff Finder" platform that will replace the current tariff finder.
The platform is a search engine that will provide business actors with information on tariffs, non-tariffs, rules of origin (ROO), ASEAN export-import regulations, and ASEAN's trade agreements with its partner countries.
The consultation meeting is scheduled to take place in September 2023 on the sidelines of the 43rd ASEAN Summit.
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Translator: Maria Cicilia, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Sri Haryati
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