Indonesia
Indonesia set to be crucial battleground for negotiations
Environmental activists have called for the issue of palm oil to be excluded from discussions taking place this week between the Indonesian government and a European Union trade delegation.
A total of 60 civil society organisations from Indonesia and Europe have signed a joint statement laying out serious concerns with the EU-Indonesia trade agreement. These behind-closed-doors trade negotiations - like CETA and TTIP - jeopardise an equitable and just future.
After achieving a foreign trade surplus last year on the back of strong demand for minerals and agricultural products, Indonesia is looking to sustain growth by building ties with new markets, as well as deepening relationships with existing partners.
Several civil groups have called for transparency in the negotiation between Indonesia and the European Union over the comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) to ensure the deal would bring equitable and sustainable development.
The next round of negotiations for a free trade agreement between the EU and Indonesia start today in Solo, Indonesia. Civil society organisations from Europe and Indonesia, including Friends of the Earth Europe and Friends of the Earth Indonesia, will meet in parallel to discuss the consequences of a potential agreement.
Churchill Mining updated the market on the progress made in its attempts to annul an international tribunal’s award against it.
The major issue for Indonesia is a trade barrier for Indonesian palm oil following the decision by the EU Parliament on Jan. 17 to phase out the use of biodiesel manufactured from palm.
We call on the EU and Indonesia to use the CEPA negotiations to design an investment chapter that prioritises equitable and sustainable development.
It includes inroads on a bilateral investment treaty to strengthen economic cooperation.
Indonesia is committed to accelerating negotiations of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the Jakarta Post quoted Indonesian Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita as saying.
Both countries agreed to expand the PTA and opt for a Free Trade Agreement.
The European Union is currently negotiating a series of new free trade agreements that would have a negative impact on consumer rights, environmental standards and democratic principles.
Palm oil must be excluded from the free trade agreement between Switzerland and Indonesia. In an open letter to Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann, Swiss environmental, human rights, consumer and farming organizations are calling for this.
Trade negotiations kicking off Friday will cover tariffs, investor protections.
The member countries would deliberate on finalising the maximum number of goods on which duties will either be eliminated or reduced drastically. Matters pertaining to services sector are also expected to figure in the meeting.
Sri Lanka and Indonesia had agreed to study a free trade agreement during a state visit of President Joko Widodo to Colombo.
Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita kicked off the trade mission on Monday to two South Asia countries — India and Pakistan — taking with him 61 businesspeople to explore the cooperation with their counterparts in the two countries.
The fourth round of the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement is scheduled to be held in Surakarta in February.
