Attending the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ABAC) chairmanship handover event held on Monday (30/1), Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan hoped that ABAC-government cooperation continues to develop through supporting Indonesia’s economic priorities during its ASEAN chairmanship. The Minister remarked that the global trade is in a difficult condition, particularly the growth of intra-ASEAN trade which stagnates at 21-25% since 2008. He then highlighted the importance of increasing investment to maintain economic growth and global competitiveness. Minister Hasan then explained on Indonesia’s seven economic priorities that was divided into three main groups which are recovery and reconstruction, digital economy, and sustainable economics. The Indonesian economic priorities consists of ASEAN Services Facilitation Framework (ASFF), Signing of the 2nd Protocol to Amend the Agreement Establishing the ASEAN–Australia– New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA); establishment of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) support group in the ASEAN secretariat; Project-based Industry Initiative in ASEAN; full implementation of Electronic Form D through the ASEAN Single Window; Leaders Declaration for the Establishment of the Digital Economy Framework in ASEAN; and Standard Harmonisation Roadmap to support the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Four main events would be the Launch of the Online Sale Day, Inauguration of the RCEP implementation, Launching of the new ASEAN Tariff Finder, and kickstarting the Digital Economy Framework negotiation. (ICE GIACARTA)

Fonte notizia: Kontan - 31 January 2023