TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Entrepreneurs are asking ASEAN free trade (AFT) to be delayed. The government is asked to focus on the national interest. \u201cWe better delay it until the crisis is over,\u201d said head of Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo), Sofjan Wanandi, yesterday.<\/p>\n
The government is expected to submit the agreement to the new government that will be formed after the election. \u201cAFT does not effect national interests much,\u201d Sofjan said.<\/p>\n
He said that the national interest should be prioritized by protecting local products. In other countries like America, the market is protected during the crisis. \u201cObama officially announced that America will secure their local industries by promoting local products,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The government plans to sign the AFT with Australia and New Zealand on February 27 in Bangkok, Thailand. The plan has been protested against by many parties including the Department of Industry. The agreement is considered advantageous for countries with a better economic situation and is not good to be applied during the crisis.<\/p>\n
The senior researcher from the Global Justice Institute (IGJ), Bonnie Setiawan, said the AFT will only be a burden to the Indonesian economy. \u201cBut it will be good for Australia,\u201d he said .<\/p>\n
The Director of Regional Cooperation at the Trade Department, Imam Pambagyo, said the free trade forum arranges commitment modification or the possibility to decide on a safe-guard. \u201cWhen one member wants to modify their agreement, it has to be proved. It cannot just be because of being concerned,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He explained that Indonesia should prove the disadvantages. \u201cWe have to be fair or we'll lose our credibility,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
ALI NY | VENNIE MELYANI<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/government-asks-asean-free-trade-to-be-delayed-1234445194", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }