Thursday, March 25, 2010

Indonesia Not To Discuss ACFTA in ASEAN Summit

The Indonesian Government is not going to include the agenda of discussing ASEAN China (ACFTA) in 16th ASEAN Summit, to be held from 6 to 9 April in Hanoi, Vietnam. Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu said: "We are not going to discuss about ACFTA," after coordination meeting preparing for the ASEAN Summit 2010 at the office of Coordinating Ministry of the Economy.

Free Trade Renegotiation
Whereas, during the coordination meeting, the Foreign Affairs Minister, Marty Nata Legawa said anything of Indonesia's concern would be discussed in the forum. Yet, Marty refused to comment when he was asked about whether the free trade renegotiation would become the agenda of the ASEAN Summit. "Ask the Trade Minister," he said.

Mari explained that the ASEAN Summit will focus more on the schedule and blue print of the establishment of ASEAN Economic Community. "ASEAN Economic Community requires good coordination and preparation," Mari said. A number of preparations that should be done in 2010 include the readiness of standard, investment targets and service.

Preparing Infrastructure
Coordinating Economy Minister, Hatta Rajasa said, Indonesia is expected to have better preparation compared to other countries. "If we are not ready, we will step back and say that we are not yet ready," he said after the coordination meeting.

ASEAN Economic Community has four pillars, single market of ASEAN, economy development in ASEAN, even distribution of economy, and the increase global competitiveness. In addition to preparing the infrastructure, ASEAN Economic Community also obliges government to prepare institutions, such as banking institution.

The government should also prepare open sky policy. Indonesia is going to limit the open sky implementation to the areas of Medan, Jakarta, and Makassar.

No comments: