The relationship between the European Union and Indonesia is one of growing importance, with trade and economic cooperation serving as a cornerstone of this partnership. The EU was Indonesia's fifth-largest trading partner in 2022 and among the main foreign investors and the two entities have a shared interest in promoting sustainable economic growth and development. With the current global economic challenges, the EU and Indonesia are exploring new ways to deepen cooperation.
ARISE+ Indonesia acknowledges the vital role of gender mainstreaming in fostering sustainable and inclusive economic development. With this approach, ARISE+ Indonesia recognises that gender-sensitive economic growth is essential for creating a fair and prosperous society. The programme is committed to integrating gender considerations into its activities to promote gender equality, empower women and contribute to more inclusive and sustainable development outcomes.
Indonesia has been actively promoting its manufacturing sector as a key area for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to drive sustainable economic growth and achieve the 2045 grand vision of becoming a prosperous and advanced nation.
Trade in services in Indonesia has tremendous potential and continues growing each year. Due to its complexity, trade in services began to be negotiated separately. Ninety-five per cent of Indonesia's Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs) has included trade in services agreements. With rapid growth witnessed in the country's middle class, the development of the services sector is expected to continue improving, leading both to enhanced services sector exports and increasing wealth.
The Government of Indonesia, together with the leaders of the International Partners Group (IPG), launched a Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) during the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) event at the G20 Summit, taking place on 15-16 November 2022 in Bali. The Just Energy Transition Plan recognised the need for accelerated action to reduce emissions and hasten renewable energy deployment.
Last month, the Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DGIP), the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, led a delegation on a study mission to Italy to benchmark best practices in Geographical Indication (GI) protection, control and promotion and promote cooperation, with support from ARISE+ Indonesia, 17-28 September 2022.
The Government of Indonesia launched Indonesia Spice Up the World Program in November 2021 to promote Indonesian spices export. The spices market is highly lucrative, with 76% - 89% untapped market opportunities in the Netherlands and European Union (EU) for Indonesian spice exports still available. However, the spices exporters must comply with specific standards and requirements.
The Fish Quarantine and Inspection Agency (BKIPM in Indonesian acronyms) under the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MoMAF) is gearing up to strengthen food safety guarantees to domestic and international markets, including to the European Union (EU).
Indonesia is taking on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Chairmanship for 2023. Indonesia already chaired ASEAN three times, in 1996, 2003, and 2011. Assuming ASEAN leadership amid a weakened global growth due to the Russia-Ukraine war, rising goods and commodities prices, soaring inflation, and the pandemic still hanging, Indonesia is expected to steer the trading bloc towards the realisation of regional economic integration goals while addressing global challenges and promoting national interest.
Through the Fish Quarantine and Inspection Agency (FQIA/BKIPM) of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MoMAF), the Government of Indonesia has prepared a Quality Assurance 2022 action plan to accelerate the quality of national marine and fishery products to increase the international market penetration. We had the honour to discuss the quality assurance for fisheries products with the Head of Quality and Safety Control Center, BKIPM. The following is our interview.
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