Indonesia Economy Forum

[MarveL]

Obamas vacation @bali.

 

[Satria Manggala]

Malaysian prime minister arrives in Bali for vacation
13 hours ago | 688 Views

Kuta, Bali (ANTARA News) - Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and his family arrived in the Indonesian island resort of Bali on Monday for a five-day vacation.

The Airbus A-319 aircraft, carrying the Malaysian prime minister and his family, landed at the Ngurah Rai International Airport at 12:53 p.m. Central Indonesia Standard Time.

On arrival at the Ngurah Rai Airport, Razak was greeted by Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika, Udayana Military Commander Major General Komaruddin Simanjuntak, Bali Police Chief Inspector General Petrus Golose, and Commander of the Ngurah Rai Air Base Colonel I Wayan Superman.

Superman remarked that the airport was not temporarily closed when the aircraft boarded by Razak landed in Bali, but he was given the same priority as former US president Barack Obama when he had arrived in Bali.

Around 30 minutes after arriving at Ngurah Rai, the Malaysian prime minister left the airport through the exit door that had previously been passed by Obama and Saudi Arabian King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud.

Police and Military security guards escorted the motorcade of Razak to the St Regis Hotel in Nusa Dua, where King Salman had once stayed.

From Bali, the Malaysian prime minister and his family will leave for Perth, Australia, on June 30, 2017.

***2***

(O001/INE/o001)

http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/111545/malaysian-prime-minister-arrives-in-bali-for-vacation

 

[Nike]

credit to @amadeus pribowo

the differences of Jakarta skyline during and after Eidul Mubarak

 

[Satria Manggala]

Obama to visit Bogor Presidential Palace

Bogor, West Java (ANTARA News) - Former US President, Barack Obama, will attend President Joko Widodo's invitation to visit Bogor Presidential Palace on Friday afternoon, but there will be no state welcoming ceremony.

Bogor Military District Commander Lt Col Infantri Dodi Suhardiman said here on Thursday that the reception for Obama would be more relaxed and familial.

According to him, security will still be prioritized according to the operating standard for the highly-privileged (VVIP) guests, but not be conspicuous according to Obama's request.

"Obama has requested that the welcoming ceremony not be conspicuous, but security measures for him will remain in compliance with the standard operating procedure for state guests," Suhardiman said.

Obama and his family were scheduled to come to the state palace in Bogor to accept the invitation for lunch from Jokowi at Green Garden Cafe at the Bogor Botanical Garden on Friday.

Following the visit by Obama and his family, the Bogor Botanical Garden will be closed to public on Friday, according to the gardens service monitoring official, Upun Punjiar.

"I have just received an information from the leader of Presidential Security Guards that the Bogor Botanical Garden be closed to public on Friday," Punjiar said.

Jokowi, Obama talk over tea

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) tea talk with 44th President of the United States Barack Obama (left) at Grand Garden Cafe, Bogor Botanical Gardens, West Java, Friday (June 30, 2017). (Press Bureau of the Indonesian Presidential Palace)

Bogor (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and former US President Barack Obama talked over tea at Bogor State Palace here on Friday afternoon.

"During the talks, some local foods were served along with warm tea," head of press, media and information of the presidential secretariat Bey Machmudin stated.

Jokowi received Obama, who had been in Indonesia since June 23 for a holiday with his family and who is now in Jakarta after visiting Bali and Yogyakarta.

Jokowi and Obama also spent some time at Grand Garden Cafe located within Bogor Botanical Garden.

Initially, the two sat at the verandah of the restaurant, but later moved inside due to rain.

"They had just talked for 10 minutes when rain fell," he remarked.

Obama was initially scheduled to leave Bogor at 4.15 p.m., but he left only at 4.30 p.m., as the talks were cordial, Bey revealed.

First Lady Iriana also welcomed Obama and joined him in the restaurant, but she sat at a different table with her son Kaesang Pangarep to allow Jokowi and Obama to have private talks.

(Reported by Desca Lidya Natalia/Uu.H-YH/INE/KR-BSR)

Obama enjoys bakso in Bogor
6 hours ago | 603 Views
Pewarta: Desca Lidya N.

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) chatted with the 44th President of the United States (US) Barack Obama (left) at the Grand Garden Cafe, Bogor Botanical Garden, West Java, Friday (30/6/2017). (Photo: Presidential Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia)

Bogor (ANTARA News) - Former US President Barack Obama enjoyed eating meatballs soup, locally known as bakso, which was served during lunch with Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at the Grand Garden Cafe restaurant of Bogor Botanical Garden on Friday (June 30).

"According to the waiters who were serving, he (Obama) enjoyed the bakso," head of the palace's press bureau, Bey Machmudin, stated.

Obama arrived at the Bogor Presidential Palace at 3.30 p.m. and was welcomed by Jokowi, First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo, and his son Kaesang Pangarep.

Both leaders, along with Iriana and Pangarep, then went to the restaurant by golf carts.

Obama and Jokowi sat on the open terrace of the restaurant at 15.45; but after talking for about 10 minutes, they had to move to the balcony inside due to rain.

During the talk, they enjoyed hot tea and various traditional snacks such as "onde-onde" (sticky rice flour balls filled with beans), "talam ubi" (sweet tapioca cake), and "lemper" (chicken meat-filled glutinous rice wrapped in banana leaves).

After enjoying his meatballs soup, the final dish served, Obama left the palace at 4.30 p.m.

Obama is in Indonesia for a vacation with his family, including wife Michelle Obama and daughters Malia Ann Obama and Sasha Obama, since June 23.

He first visited Bali, followed by Yogyakarta, and finally reached Jakarta for the final leg of his tour.

The 44th US President is scheduled to be a key note speaker at the opening session of Indonesia Diaspora Networking Global Convention on July 1, before returning home on July 2.

 

[Nike]

Obama's visit expected to boost Bali's tourism image
Selasa, 27 Juni 2017 15:37 WIB - 4.645 Views

Former US President Barack Obama and his family spent their time on Sungai Ayung, Gianyar Regency, Bali, last Monday. (ANTARA FOTO/Wira Suryantala)

Gianyar, Bali (ANTARA News) - The visit of former US president Barack Obama is expected to boost the image of tourism in Bali.

"A good tourism image of Bali will attract more foreign tourists to visit the island," I Made Yuliarta, coordinator of the Pura Gunung Kawi tourist attraction Tampaksiring, stated here on Tuesday.

He expressed hope that the former US president would visit the Gunung Kawi tourist attraction.

Gunung Kawi is a temple complex centered around royal tombs carved into stone cliffs in the 11th century. It is located amid scenic rice terraces about 30 minutes from Ubud.

Obama had earlier enjoyed rafting down the Ayung River, which is a popular tourist spot in Bali, Indonesia.

Barack and Michelle Obama, along with their daughters Sasha and Malia, arrived at Banjar Dinas Karang Dalem I, Bongkasa Pertiwi Village, Abiansemal Sub-district, Badung District, at 11 a.m. local time on Monday.

The location is a starting point for the rafting expedition. Several police and military officers secured the site.

Obama was spotted wearing a white T-shirt, sunglasses, a red velvet jacket, and a yellow helmet. On the occasion, Michelle and her daughters were spotted paddling down the Ayung River.

The rafting ended at the rear side of the Four Seasons Hotel in Sayan Village, Ubud, a hotel near Ayung River where Obama and his family were staying.

Coordinator of White Water Rafting Bali at Ayung River Nyoman Artini expressed hope that Obamas visit would be able to promote Balis rafting tour packages.
Editor: Ade Marboen

COPYRIGHT © ANTARA 2017

 

[patu]

credit to @amadeus pribowo

View attachment 407512
the differences of Jakarta skyline during and after Eidul Mubarak

Nice shot and view point.

 

[Satria Manggala]

Indonesia imparts infrastructure training to Palestinians

Bandung, W Java (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian government is imparting infrastructure training to Palestinians during the "International Training of Infrastructure for Palestinians" event to improve Palestines infrastructure capabilities.

"We held this training to share our experiences and methods in improving and maintaining infrastructure in Indonesia," Technical Cooperation Director of the Foreign Ministry Mohammad Syarif Alatas noted in his opening speech in Bandung on Monday night, (July 3).

The infrastructure training is being organized by the Foreign Ministry in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Works and Housing in Bandung on July 2-14.

The training event is aimed at offering an opportunity to Palestinians to improve their knowledge and understanding of Indonesias best practices in infrastructure, especially for public facilities, such as road construction and housing.

The infrastructure training is being attended by 14 Palestinian civil servants working for Palestines ministries and governmental institutions, including from the Palestinian Ministry of Public Works and Housing, Transport, and municipal government office.

Those attending will follow the training that comprises several classroom sessions and infrastructure visits by the Indonesian Ministry of Public Works and Housing.

"To all participants, I hope that during the classroom and field sessions, you would receive valuable information that can be applied," Alatas stated.

While attending the training in Bandung, the Palestinians would also receive materials on the Public-Private Partnership mechanism in Indonesia for public infrastructure as well as information on policy and planning.

"Do not hesitate to clarify further and seek detailed information regarding Indonesian policies and processes related to road works, housing, and sanitation, and also how our government cooperates with the private sector," Alatas remarked.

He added that the event could serve as a platform to share ideas, expertise, and experiences in the infrastructure sector between Indonesia and Palestine as well as to improve joint efforts in conserving infrastructure to strengthen both countries economic development.

Palestine is one of the priority countries to receive technical cooperation from Indonesia. The technical assistance in the field of infrastructure was part of the Indonesian governments commitment to offering an assistance program to Palestines civil apparatus.

The program was Indonesias commitment as part of the South-South Cooperation that aims to improve development cooperation between developing countries.

Earlier, the Foreign Ministry had organized a training on tourism and archeology, which was attended by 11 Palestinians in March 2017 in Yogyakarta.

For next year, the Foreign Ministry has planned to cooperate with relevant institutions to offer training for micro-small enterprises and the microfinance sector of Palestine.

(T.Y012/INE)

http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/111643/indonesia-imparts-infrastructure-training-to-palestinians

 

[Satria Manggala]

Indonesia targets more tourists from China, India, France
Red: Reiny Dwinanda
EPA

Foreign tourists in Bali. (Illustration)

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- China, India, and France have become potential markets for Indonesian tourism, Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said.

"The number of foreign tourists from China, India, and France has increased," Yahya stated here on Tuesday.

The minister noted that tourists from the three countries are still targeting Indonesia's three main destinations, namely Bali (40 percent), Jakarta (30 percent), Riau Islands (20 percent), and the remaining 10 percent in other regions.

Arief explained that the Chinese tourists were fond of marine tourism and marine cuisine.

"Jakarta becomes a destination for Chinese tourists who love shopping. Riau Islands and Bintan are usually visited on weekends by Chinese tourists who want to buy clothes and goods.

Meanwhile, most of French tourists spend their holidays in Bali.

"Indian tourists go to Bali for celebrating weddings. Meanwhile, they go to Jakarta for business affairs," he remarked.

To accommodate more tourists, the government has prepared 10 new tourist destinations such as Bandung, Yogyakarta, Banyuwangi, Lombok, and Medan

The government is also developing 10 priority tourist destinations to attract more foreign tourists.

Yayha earlier described the 10 destinations as Indonesia¿s "New Bali," adding that they had been chosen by President Jokowi this year.

The 10 prioritized tourism destinations are Lake Toba (North Sumatra), Belitung (Bangka Belitung), Tanjung Lesung (Banten), the Seribu Islands (Jakarta), Borobudur Temple (Central Java), Mount Bromo (East Java), Mandalika Lombok (West Nusa Tenggara), Komodo Island (East Nusa Tenggara), Wakatobi National Park (Southeast Sulawesi), and Morotai (North Maluku).

Arief remarked that the acceleration of the development of these destinations is aimed at improving the infrastructure and accessibility, particularly through the development of airports, seaports, roads, and energy, to promote it to investors.

"The development of the 10 prioritized tourism destinations is intended to support the efforts to achieve the target of 20 million visitors in 2019. It is a strategy to maintain double-digit growth. We have the projection that the 10 destinations will attract up to 12 million tourist arrivals," the tourism minister stated.


Antara

Indonesia, Swiss to exchange information on finance
10 hours ago | 746 Views

Director General of Taxes Ken Dwijugiasteadi (ANTARA /Akbar Nugroho Gumay)

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The governments of Indonesia and Switzerland have declared the readiness of both countries to implement the Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI).

The signing of the joint declaration was undertaken by Director General of Taxes, Ken Dwijugiasteadi, and Swiss Ambassador to Indonesia, Yvonne Baumann, witnessed by the Minister of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia and Members of the Board of Commissioners of the Financial Services Authority here on Tuesday.

Finance Minister Sri Mulyani stated that it was important for Indonesia to be able to implement AEOI with Switzerland as it was one of the largest financial centers in the world.

"Financial information obtained from Switzerland and nearly 100 other countries will be used as a tax database to test the compliance rate of taxpayers. It is expected to encourage their awareness to fulfill tax obligations voluntary, especially in reporting their earnings and financial assets abroad which have not been reported," Sri Mulyani explained.

Through the joint declaration, Indonesia and Switzerland agreed to exchange financial account information automatically in accordance with the Common Reporting Standard (CRS) starting from 2018, with the first exchange in 2019, protected by data security assurance according to international standards.

Both jurisdictions also stated that they will share information on the development of CRS implementation in each countrys domestic legislation and affirm the commitment to continue strengthening cooperation in the financial sector.

The joint declaration is required by Switzerland to enable the Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement (MCAA) to implement AEOl to obtain the Swiss Parliament approval by the end of 2017.

On May 8, 2017, the Indonesian Government adopted a Government Regulation In lieu of Law No. 1/ 2017 on Access to Financial Information for Tax Interests.

It regulates the authority of the Directorate General of Taxation to receive and obtain financial information from financial institutions throughout Indonesia and the authority of the Minister of Finance to execute financial information exchange with authorities for other countries or jurisdictions.

(KR-LWA/INE/KR-BSR/A014)

http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/111647/indonesia-swiss-to-exchange-information-on-finance

 

[Nike]

Capital market supports infrastructure development
Rabu, 5 Juli 2017 08:05 WIB - 122 Views

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Financial Services Authority (OJK) stated that the government has high hopes that the capital market industry can contribute to the development of infrastructure in the country with long-term funding.

"We have a strong foundation to support the government in infrastructure development. We will be more active in exploring capital market by applying several programs," OJKs Chief Executive Officer of Capital Market, Nurhaida, said here on Tuesday.

She is optimistic that the capital market is able to contribute significantly to the development of national infrastructure, especially since Indonesia has achieved investment grade rating from international agencies such as Standard & Poors (S & P), Moodys Investors Service and Fitch Ratings.

"Investment grade rating that we get shows that Indonesia has good potentials. We must maintain the momentum," she said.

In order to support infrastructure development, she added that OJK is conducting a study to issue new investment instruments, including infrastructure fund, infrastructure bond and project bond. Those instruments at the same time provide an alternative for investors in investing.

Nurhaida explained that infrastructure fund is intended to provide alternative funding for infrastructure development in Indonesia through securitization of infrastructure assets. The product is a medium to raise funds from investors.

Infrastructure fund, she added, is not much different from Limited Investment Fund, in which the maximum number of parties who invest is 50.

"Meanwhile, the number of infrastructure fund participating side can be more," she noted, adding that the regulation on infrastructure fund products is being prepared by OJK. In the near future, OJKs regulations on the product will be issued.

Nurhaida explained that project bond is a bond with source of payment derived from a projects revenue, while infrastructure bond is an infrastructure-based bond.

"The project bond and infrastructure bond rules are in process. We are expecting to be completed soon," she said.(*)
Editor: Heru

COPYRIGHT © ANTARA 2017

President optimistic of capital inflow increase in 2018
Rabu, 5 Juli 2017 04:46 WIB - 335 Views

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo is optimistic that capital inflows into Indonesias capital market will increase in 2018.

"We are optimistic as within a year in 2016, Rp126 trillion has already flown, while this year, it has been Rp124 trillion," Widodo said here on Tuesday.

The Rp126 trillion amount was the total capital inflow to the market of state securities, stocks, and corporate bonds in 2016. The data was obtained from Financial Services Authority and the Ministry of Finance.

The president invited foreign entrepreneurs who have companies in the country to register themselves as market participants in the Indonesia Stock Exchange (BEI).

He also encouraged initial public offering (IPO) sale by state-owned enterprises (SOEs).

"We encourage, especially SOE subsidiaries, to list immediately because we need large financing to build the infrastructures as it is not possible to do all with credits," the president explained.

Jokowi also appreciated the increase of the Jakarta Composite Stock Price Index (IHSG).

"Our composite share price index has reached 5.9 thousand. The market believes that Indonesia has a good prospect to invest," he added.

The IHSG on Monday (July 3) closed up 80.52 points, or 1.38 percent to 5,910.23 points, while on Tuesday (July 4), it opened down 23.51 points, or 0.40 percent to 5,886.72 points.(*)
Editor: Heru

COPYRIGHT © ANTARA 2017

 

[Bungaterakhir]

Medan LRT (North Sumatera) : South-North Line (22,74 KM)
Medan BRT : -
Status : feasibility study

 

[Satria Manggala]

Development of MRT phase-2 to start in 2018
Red: Reiny Dwinanda

Sigid Kurniawan/Antara

Arieal view of Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) construction at Fatmawati area, South Jakarta, Thursday (June 1).

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- PT Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) has planned to start extending the route of Jakarta's mass rapid transit system phase-2 from the Hotel Indonesia roundabout in Central Jakarta to Kampung Bandan in Ancol, North Jakarta, in 2018.

"We plan to conduct the groundbreaking of MRT phase-2 development next year," PT MRT Jakarta President Director William P. Sabandar remarked here on Thursday.

According to him, the construction of mass transportation facilities is currently still in the stage of basic engineering design.

"Some time ago we have completed the feasibility study, and now we are in the stage of basic engineering design," Sabandar said, adding that he had made a coordination with the central government about the plan to start the development of the MRT phase-2.

He explained that the budget amounting Rp25.1 trillion for the development has been allocated, and it has been coordinated with the central government.

Sabandar said the MRT phase-2 will extend 8.3 kilometers from the Hotel Indonesia roundabout to Kampung Bandan, with eight underground stations of Sarinah, Monas, Harmoni, Sawah Besar, Mangga Besar, Glodok, Kota, and Kampung Bandan.

The first phase of the MRT, stretching over 16 kilometers from Lebak Bulus in South Jakarta to the Hotel Indonesia roundabout, has been under construction since 2013.

The government expect that when it becomes operational by 2019, it will be able to transport up to 173,400 passengers daily on 16 trains.

The trains are designed to cover the distance in 30 minutes, five minutes apart. This will significantly cut travel times, which can currently take up to two hours by car during rush-hour traffic.

Construction of the 87-kilometer third phase from Cikarang east of Jakarta to Balaraja in the west, is scheduled to start in 2020. It is expected to be completed between 2024 and 2027.

Antara

 

[Satria Manggala]

Indonesia, Turkey to discuss economy and security cooperation
7 hours ago | 1.801 Views

Ankara (ANTARA News) - Indonesian President Joko Widodo will discuss economic development and security cooperation with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a state visit to Turkey.

"There are eight agendas that will be discussed on Thursday by the president during his visit to Ankara. The president will arrive in Ankara on Wednesday evening," the Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi said here on Wednesday.

According to Marsudi, Jokowi will enhance the cooperation on economic development by inaugurating the Indonesia-Turkey Comprehensive Economic Partnership (IT-CEPA).

Indonesia and Turkey will also develop the cooperation on strategic industry field.

Additionally, Jokowi will also discuss the cooperation on counter-terrorism with Erdogan.

Jokowi will not only visit the Anitkabir or the Mausoleum of Atat�rk to lay wreaths but also visit the Kocatepe Mosque that was built in 1967 and 1987.

"Erdogan will hold a welcoming ceremony for Jokowi and will conduct a tete-a-tete meeting as well as bilateral meeting," Marsudi revealed.

Both presidents will also witness the signing ceremony of health sector cooperation and the inauguration of IT-CEPA.

Jokowi and Erdogan will hold a joint press statement and continue with the state luncheon.

After meeting Erdogan, Jokowi will also conduct one-to-one meeting with business sector leaders.

"Several business leaders who have high interest to hold cooperation with Indonesia will meet Jokowi," Marsudi said.

Jokowi will continue his visit to Hamburg, Germany, on 6 July, 2017, to attend the G20 Summit Meeting 2017.(*)

 

[Satria Manggala]

Indonesian traditional ensemble attracts Argentinians

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The performance of the Indonesian traditional Javanese "gamelan" ensemble group Sang Bagaskara of the Indonesian Embassy in Buenos Aires at the Universidad del Salvadors Oriental Studies School, Buenos Aires, has attracted the attention of local people, according to a press release from the Embassy received by Antara here on Thursday.

The Indonesian gamelan show was performed at the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Universidad del Salvador School of Oriental Studies.

The event was attended by students, ambassadors and embassy representatives of the Asia Pacific countries in Buenos Aires and the people of Argentina.

Universidad del Salvador is one of the universities in Argentina that has an oriental study faculty focusing on Asian countries, including Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

In his speech, Indonesian Ambassador to Argentina Jonny Sinaga explained about the uniqueness of the gamelan group with almost all players are Argentinians.

"The group which was formed on December 23, 2011 is very unique because it has Indonesian coaches from the Indonesian Embassy while all the players are Argentinians," Ambassador Jonny said.

Sang Bagaskara group played five songs with modified arrangements involving modern Latin American and traditional music.

One of the most attractive songs played by the group was "El Baile del Pasto" which combines Indonesian gamelan and Latin American tortoises.

The director of the Universidad del Salvadors Oriental Studies School, Carlos Rua, praised the music groups performance.

Sang Bagaskara musical group consists of 20 people and regularly conducts exercises.

(KR-LWA/H-YH)

 

[Satria Manggala]

Jokowi, Erdogan witness signing of two cooperations agreements
3 hours ago | 407 Views

Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hold a joint press statement in the White Palace Ankara on Thursday (July 6). Jokowi conducted a state visit to Turkey since last Wednesday before continue his trip to Germany to attend G20 Summit Meeting. (ANTARA News/Hanni Sofia)

Ankara (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan witnessed the signing of documents of agreements on health and economic cooperation at the White Palace here on Thursday.

Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno LP Marsudi signed the document of agreement on health cooperation, while Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita signed the document of inauguration of negotiation on Indonesian-Turkish Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IT-CEPA).

"I welcome the signing of the two cooperation agreement documents between the governments of Indonesia and Turkey in the fields of health and the launch of negotiation on Indonesian and Turkish Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement," Jokowi stated.

Meanwhile, Erdogan expressed his interest in establishing cooperation and partnership in various fields with Indonesia.

It is becoming more important for Turkey and Indonesia to forge cooperation and partnership in various fields, Erdogan noted.

Jokowi commenced his state visit to Turkey by holding a meeting with Erdogan.

Previously, Jokowis first agenda on Thursday morning was a visit to the Attaturk Mausoleum, the tomb of Turkish first president Kemal Ataturk, to lay a wreath.

In the afternoon, Jokowi and his entourage headed to the Presidential Palace of the Republic of Turkey to meet Erdogan.

According to Marsudi earlier, Jokowi discussed economic development and security cooperation with his Turkish counterpart.

Additionally, Jokowi discussed cooperation in the field of counter terrorism with Erdogan.

Marsudi stated that Widodo would enhance cooperation on economic development by inaugurating the Indonesia-Turkey Comprehensive Economic Partnership (IT-CEPA).

Indonesia and Turkey would also develop cooperation in the strategic industry sector.

After meeting Erdogan, Jokowi held one-on-one meetings with business sector leaders.

(H-YH/KR-BSR/B.019)

 

[Satria Manggala]

Indonesia questions EU policy on palm oil export
Red: Reiny Dwinanda

Fb

Palm oil plantation

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Indonesian delegation has questioned European Union (EU) policy that impedes export of Indonesian products, especially palm oil products, at the 13th Trade Policy Review (TPR) meeting at the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The WTO TPR took place in Geneva, Switzerland, on Wednesday (July 5), as stated by the Permanent Representative of Indonesia in Geneva in a press release received by Antara here on Thursday.

On that occasion, the Indonesian delegation asked the EU to pay attention to trade barriers applied to Indonesian imported products, especially palm oil.

"Indonesia is the largest palm oil supplier to the EU. Therefore, it deeply regrets the increasing trade barriers in imports of palm oil products to the EU," International Relations Expert at the Indonesian Ministry of Commerce, Dody Edward, told the EU delegation.

The Indonesian delegation also expressed its concern over the Resolution on Palm Oil and Deforestation of Rainforest, which was approved by the European Parliament in April 2017, which discriminates palm oil products.

"The resolution is not appropriate, and the EU needs to recognize the Indonesian Government's hard efforts in managing and promoting sustainable palm oil production," Dody noted.

In response, the EU delegation stated that the resolution of the European Parliament does not bind the executive body of the European Commission (EC) and legally does not require the EC to follow-up with a binding legal product.

However, the Indonesian delegation stated that the resolution further reinforces a negative campaign against palm oil in the EU market.

Indonesia also questioned some of other non-tariff barriers, which was adopted by the EU to potentially hamper market access for Indonesia's export commodities, including the anthraquinone tea-threshold limit; labeling on dairy products, meat and derivative products; threshold of MCPD 3 substance content in vegetable oil, including palm oil, which is seen as carcinogenic; and aflatoxine substance thresholds on nutmeg commodities.

The Indonesian government has objected to the product standards adopted by Europe as there is a discrepancy between the limits imposed by the EU and the ones imposed by the international standardization agency, the Codex Alimentarius Commission.

Antara