Indonesia to Discuss FTA Plan with EU in Bali
24 July 2015 21:34 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia will discuss a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) plan with the European Union in September 2015 in Bali, Achmad Sigit Dwiwahjono, Director General for International Industry Access Resiliency and Development said in Jakarta on Friday, July 24, 2015.
Sigit said that his institution was still preparing points to be negotiated during the meeting based on the benefits and challenges posed by the FTA.
According to Sigit, Indonesia was behind Malaysia and Vietnam, who have entered the eighth round of discussion, in terms of the FTA plan discussion with the EU.
"Malaysia and Vietnam are ready to sign the plan. We need to anticipate this because Europe is one of the largest CPO markets for Indonesia as the region sets import duty at seven percent," Sigit said.
Sigit added that the government will make efforts to catch up with Malaysia and Vietnam, without neglecting the benefits from the FTA plan.
In addition to opening access for Indonesia, the FTA agreement with the EU would secure Indonesia's commodity exports to the region.
ANTARANEWS
