RI seeks Japan's help in boosting competitiveness<\/p>\n
Zakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Indonesian government was still seeking Japan's help in
\nenhancing its own industrial competitiveness to optimize trade
\nrelations, in a bid to eventually establish a bilateral free
\ntrade agreement (FTA), a senior official said.<\/p>\n
\"We emphasized cooperation to run simultaneously with the
\nexpected negotiations of trade and investment liberalization
\nagreement,\" said Halida Miljani, who heads an Indonesian
\ndelegation at preparatory talks preceding a possible bilateral
\nFTA.<\/p>\n
According to Halida, even if Japan opened its market 100
\npercent, Indonesia might not have an optimum benefit due to the
\ncountry's inability to meet Japanese tastes and standards.<\/p>\n
\"Therefore, we want to prioritize cooperation in establishing
\nan FTA with Japan,\" she told The Jakarta Post and Investor Daily
\nafter returning from the talks in Tokyo.<\/p>\n
The Tokyo talks were the third meeting, after the first and
\nthe second in February and March in Jakarta and Bali,
\nrespectively.<\/p>\n
The preparatory talks, involving private sector
\nbusinesspeople, academics and government officials, as well as
\nrepresentatives from non-government organizations, discussed
\ntrade in industrial goods, farm products, service and investment.<\/p>\n
Indonesia is urging Japan to facilitate personnel transfers,
\nremove tariffs on forestry and fish products and support small
\nbusinesses in this country.<\/p>\n
\"The group just identified concerns, actual negotiations would
\nnot start before the two leaders agreed. But the negotiations
\nwould be based on the concerns raised at the preparatory talks,\"
\nsaid Halida, who is a former ambassador to the World Trade
\nOrganization (WTO).<\/p>\n
During the talks, aside from seeking a cooperation to enhance
\nlocal industrial competitiveness through Japan's assistance in
\ndeveloping domestic supporting industries, Indonesia raised other
\nconcerns in the agriculture and fisheries sectors.<\/p>\n
In Agriculture, Indonesia asked Japan to recognize the country
\nas one that is free from hoof and mouth disease, so in the future
\nIndonesia may export meat and dairy products.<\/p>\n
Indonesia also sought Japan's support in strengthening local
\ntuna fisheries management, as well as combating illegal fishing
\nin the country's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Japan requested that Indonesia work out investment
\nrules and eliminate tariffs on vehicles and auto parts.<\/p>\n
Halida said that Japan sought explanations about Indonesia's
\nrules in investment in oil, natural gas and mining, as well as in
\nthe power sector.<\/p>\n
\"They were asking about the annulment of Law No.20\/2002 on
\nelectricity,\" she said, referring to a controversial ruling
\nhanded down by the Constitutional Court recently.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, Japan wants greater liberalization in the
\nfinancial services industry, particularly non-banking financial
\nservices, including insurance.<\/p>\n
Also, responding to Indonesia's request, Japan was reviewing
\nrules to give a possibility for unskilled workers to be placed as
\npermanent employees in Japan, she said.<\/p>\n
Expectations for an FTA between the two are high following
\nrecommendations from a joint study, which concluded that an FTA
\nwould further enhance bilateral economic ties.<\/p>\n
The group expected the two country leaders to sign the FTA as
\nsoon as possible, as it would be ideal to have the talks, in
\nconjunction with Japan's ongoing FTA negotiations with ASEAN,
\nsaid Halida, who is also a special assistant to Minister of Trade
\nMari E. Pangestu.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ri-seeks-japans-help-in-boosting-competitiveness-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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