Australia, France, Turkey Support Indonesia's G20 Presidency: Airlangga Hartarto

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto said that Australia, France and Turkey strongly support the Indonesian Presidency in the 2022 G20. Airlangga is currently accompanying President Joko Widodo at the G20 Summit in Rome, Italy and has reached agreements with several countries in bilateral meetings with the Indonesian delegation.

First, in a meeting with Australian Prime Minister (PM) Scott Morrison. The two countries agreed that the issue of the digital economy must be discussed at Indonesia's G20 Presidency next year.

This discussion is needed in particular so that policies and regulations in the sector are not different from the conventional sector, especially in terms of digital platforms. "It is hoped that bullying on social media will be regulated by platforms in a responsible and balanced manner," said Airlangga in a written statement, Sunday, October 31, 2021.

In addition, discussions were held on energy and climate change. The discussion also touched on the issue of the availability and affordability of technology in order to accelerate the formation of a green energy system in Indonesia.

Second, in a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, they discussed cooperation in the field of the main weapons systems (defense equipment) jointly produced by the two countries, including the involvement, availability, and local content. France also supports Indonesia in the 2022 G20 Presidency.

Airlangga said that the President of France, who is currently also serves as President of the European Union (EU), has been asked by Jokowi for an accelerated discussion of the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (EU CEPA).

The cooperation is expected to increase Indonesia's exports to Europe and vice versa. "So Indonesia's 'cake share' in Europe can increase. It is also hoped that with the G20 Indonesian Presidency, we will have high bargaining power, so it is hoped that there will be benefits to resolve it," said Airlangga.

Third, during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Indonesian-Turkish CEPA cooperation was also discussed, particularly regarding Indonesian crude palm oil (CPO).

Airlangga said that Indonesia's CPO market was initially large in Turkey, but now its value has decreased due to Indonesia's neighboring countries which have CEPAs as well. "So to bring it back, of course we need to accelerate this. The President has assigned the Minister of Trade to handle the CEPA (with Turkey)," he said.

Finally, regarding MSMEs, Airlangga explained that this is a priority for Indonesia, as revealed when President Jokowi gave a speech at the side event of the G20 Summit which discussed MSMEs and women-owned businesses.

"Several inclusive programs have been carried out, both in the form of the Mekaar Program, UMi, KUR, as well as onboarding MSMEs to the digital sector involving 65 million MSMEs, and most of them (entrepreneurs) are women. For example, (Queen of the Netherlands) Queen Maxima took the example of inclusive activities in Indonesia, one of which was the digitalization of online motorcycle taxis, as well as Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi who also appreciated the various programs presented by the President," he said.

CAESAR AKBAR