"Hopefully, we will soon reach a conclusion, given the progressive nature of the talks," he told journalists here Sunday.
The Indonesian government has set a target of completing the IEU-CEPA in the first semester of this year. "We will continue striving to finish the talks," he said.
Related news: RI pushes IEU-CEPA talks completion amid US tariffs
Earlier on April 29, Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita argued that the IEU-CEPA would emerge as a strategic instrument for Indonesia to sustain its economic growth in light of the US government's new tariff policy.
"This agreement will become a game changer for our economic growth, particularly for the growth of our labor-intensive manufacturing sector," he told legislators during a meeting with Commission VII of the House of Representatives (DPR) in Jakarta recently.
Soon after it is made effective, he said the IEU-CEPA can allow Indonesian textile products to penetrate the European markets free of import tariffs.
"This agreement will help Indonesia boost its competitiveness," he stated.
Kartasasmita also highlighted that the Ministry of Industry had sent a letter to President Prabowo Subianto stressing its approval of the agreement.
"We have given the green light to Indonesian negotiators to sign the IEU-CEPA," he said.
Since 2016, Indonesia and the EU have engaged in 19 rounds of negotiation on the agreement to find common grounds on a range of key issues, such as trade in goods and services, investment, public procurement, regulatory harmonization, and cooperation in capacity-building.
Indonesia has affirmed its commitment to completing the talks to broaden its market reach while deepening its economic ties with the EU.
Related news: Indonesia pushes for IEU-CEPA to boost textile industry
Translator: Aji C, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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