TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Free trade agreement was one of the main topics of the discussion in a meeting between President Joko Widodo also known as Jokowi and Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Wednesday, March 8, 2017. Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita said that Indonesia will attempt to implement the agreement.
"It has not started yet. We will sit together with Sri Lanka to draft concrete measures," Enggartiasto said at the State Palace on Wednesday, March 8, 2017.
Enggartiasto said that there are several reasons for Indonesia and Sri Lanka to discuss a free trade agreement. One of those reasons includes reducing commodity prices, both from Indonesia or Sri Lanka.
Enggartiasto said that currently, goods coming to Indonesia from Sri Lanka are being restricted by high tariffs. Meanwhile, Enggartiasto said that Indonesia has better export commodities to Sri Lanka.
"The tariff barrier is quite large. Prices are high because there was no agreement. Well, this opens [opportunities] for new markets," Enggartiasto said.
Enggartiasto however, cannot confirm when the free trade agreement will be implemented.
ISTMAN M.P.
