Indonesia
Indonesia signed a major comprehensive FTA with Japan in 2007. In February 2012, it signed a preferential trade agreement with Pakistan which the two governments intend to turn into an FTA. But the Pakistan government has reportedly refused to start new negotiations until its concerns on the existing agreement are addressed.
Right now, Indonesia is negotiating trade deals with Australia, Chile, EFTA (European Free Trade Area), the European Union, Korea, India and Ukraine. It has also expressed an interest to join the Transpacific Partnership (TPP) and to establish a free trade zone with the Eurasian Economic Union. Since 2012, Jakarta is part of the controversial Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) talks with the nine other ASEAN (Association of South-East Asian Nations) governments and their six FTA partners: Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea.
As member of ASEAN, Indonesia is also party to the group’s FTAs with Australia and New Zealand, China, India, Japan and Korea, as well as the ASEAN Economic Community.
Following a growing discontent against the investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) mechanism, whereby foreign investors can seek compensation in an arbitration tribunal if new laws or regulations negatively affect their investment potential, Indonesia decided in 2014 to phase out 67 of its bilateral investment treaties. The government has terminated 20 treaties so far and has been developing a new model BIT that would supposedly reflect a more balanced approach between the country’s right to regulate and foreign investor protection.
last update: October 2016
Articles
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11-Jul-2017 Antara News Indonesia-Iran agree to finalize trade negotiation in 2017
Indonesia and Iran have agreed to finalize negotiation on the Preferential Trade Agreement by the end of 2017, to expand access and diversify of exported products to non-traditional markets. -
7-Jul-2017 Tempo Joko Widodo, Erdogan sign trade deal
President Joko Widodo said that the governments of Indonesia and Turkey have agreed on a trade deal. It includes fewer trade barriers and creation of conducive investment climate. -
19-Jun-2017 Global Trade US and Indonesia agree to step up work to expand trade
Officials from the United States and Indonesia met under their Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), agreeing on next steps for expeditiously resolving bilateral issues and further building their trade relations. -
30-May-2017 Indonesia Expat Indonesia and Australian complete 7th economic partnership round
The main issues discussed during the round included trade — including the origin of goods, customs procedures and trade facilitations — investment, electronic trade, business competition and institutional framework provisions. -
26-Apr-2017 Indonesia Investments Working on a bilateral trade agreement between Indonesia-USA
The Indonesian government is currently studying the opportunities and challenges with regard to the making of a new bilateral trade deal with the USA. -
31-Mar-2017 Jakarta Post Indonesia-European trade talks on track; to conclude this year
Indonesia has said twelfth round of negotiations on forming a comprehensive economic partnership agreement with the European Free Trade Association are on the right track. -
15-Mar-2017 Jakarta Post Indonesia-Chile CEPA negotiations resume after delay
After being delayed for more than two years, negotiations for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement between Indonesia and Chile resumed. -
28-Feb-2017 Jakarta Post Gold jewelry maker asks government for FTA with UAE
Major gold jewelry producer has asked the government to establish a free trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates to lower the country’s import tax for Indonesian jewelry. -
8-Dec-2016 Jakarta Post Indonesia to finalize five trade deals next year in hunt for wider markets
As Indonesia accelerates talks with 15 Asia-Pacific nations, it is prioritizing the conclusion of five trade deals to open access to foreign markets and lure inflows of investment. -
29-Aug-2016 The Jakarta Post Financial services liberalization in jeopardy
There are prominent dangers associated with the negotiation of IA-CEPA, particularly with the financial services liberalization. -
8-Aug-2016 Ukraine Today Ukraine and Indonesia to start talks on free trade zone
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo have agreed to start consultations on establishing a free trade zone between Ukraine and Indonesia. -
4-Aug-2016 The Jakarta Post RI eyes to develop key sectors from Australian trade deal
Indonesia is hoping to develop a number of key sectors through an anticipated free-trade deal with Australia, which is aimed at boosting trade and investment between the neighboring countries. -
3-Aug-2016 Sidney Morning Herald Indonesia and Australia recommit to free trade deal in 18 months
Indonesia and Australia have recommitted to finalising a free trade deal within 18 months despite the appointment of a new Indonesian trade minister. -
1-Aug-2016 Antara RI, Australia to conclude trade agreement
Australian Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister Steven Ciobo is visiting Indonesia to conclude a free trade agreement with Indonesia. -
23-Jun-2016 The Jakarta Post Antam to use FTA for gold business
Diversified miner Aneka Tambang (Antam) hopes to utilize a free trade agreement (FTA) scheme to expand its gold business. -
20-May-2016 TASS EAEU-Indonesia free trade zone may be set up after Jakarta files request
Work on establishing the free trade zone between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and Indonesia may start after Jakarta files a corresponding application -
13-May-2016 The Jakarta Post Indonesia eyes FTA with Australia in 2017, CEPA with EU in 2018
Indonesia is hoping to seal a free trade agreement ( FTA ) with Australia in 2017, followed by a comprehensive economic partnership agreement ( CEPA ) with the European Union in 2018. -
7-Apr-2016 Antara RI, PNG agree to forge bilateral ties
Indonesia and Papua New Guinea have agreed to forge relations between the two countries. -
25-Mar-2016 The Jakarta Post Indonesia to focus on digital economy, services
The government aims to boost cooperation for the digital economy and services sectors within the framework of the ongoing Indonesia-Australia comprehensive economic partnership agreement. -
7-Dec-2015 IA Reporter Indonesia ramps up termination of BITs – and kills survival clause in one such treaty – but faces new $600 mil. claim from Indian mining investor
The Republic of Indonesia has made good on an earlier promise to begin phasing out some of its 67 odd bilateral investment treaties.
News from the movements
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26-Jul-2017 Scoop
Zombie actors protest TPPA at Auckland trade office
A mock zombie virus outbreak was quarantined at the offices of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade in Auckland by campaigners demanding the NZ government end efforts to resurrect the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement.
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26-Jul-2017 Newsclick, PSI, TNI and Focus on the global south
Video: "Can’t trade with our lives and livelihood" Hyderabad says no to RCEP
A massive protest march was organised in Hyderabad on July 24 at People’s Plaza against Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership with the slogan "You can’t trade with our lives and livelihoods." The march is part of a week long activities of People’s convention against FTAs and RCEP.
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26-Jul-2017 Forum Against FTAs
“Stakeholder consultation a sham” – Boycott by people’s organizations
The People’s Resistance Forum against FTAs & RCEP calls the so-called “Stakeholder Consultation” on 25th July 2017 by the RCEP chief negotiators a sham – it is neither a meaningful consultation nor includes most stakeholders. -
25-Jul-2017 Desinformémonos
México - Anuncian movilización campesina por renegociación del TLCAN
El próximo miércoles 26 de julio se llevará a cabo una movilización para exigir que se excluya el capítulo agropecuario en la renegociación del Tratado de Libre Comercio de América del Norte (TLCAN) -
25-Jul-2017 CGT
Le JEFTA ne doit pas se faire au détriment des travailleurs et des citoyens
La CGT de France et ZENROREN du Japon expriment leur profonde inquiétude face à un processus marqué par des négociations secrètes. -
25-Jul-2017 The Hans India
Women up in arms against Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership
At a rally held in Hyderabad, women from different parts of India marched along with other marginalised communities to protest the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership -
24-Jul-2017 Forum Against FTAs
People’s groups demand a halt to RCEP talks
People’s groups from across the country converged in Hyderabad from July 22-26 to unanimously reject the RCEP. -
24-Jul-2017 Dissident Voice
Wine and the Canada-Israel free trade agreement
Two weeks ago the worst fear of Canadian opponents of neoliberal ‘free trade’ agreements came true. Surprisingly, there has been almost no reaction from the political parties, unions, and other organizations that warned these agreements would be used to undermine Canadian law, even though this is exactly what happened.
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