Meeting The French Minister Of Trade, Minister Of Industry Agus Bahas I-EU CEPA To Investment Opportunities

Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita (left) and French Foreign Trade Minister Oliver Becht (right). (Photo: Doc. Ministry of Industry)

JAKARTA - Minister of Industry (Menperin) of the Republic of Indonesia Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita met with French Foreign Trade Minister Oliver Becht to discuss the progress of the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (I-EU CEPA) negotiations, deforestation, carbon, and investment opportunities.

This meeting was held on the sidelines of a series of working visits by Minister of Industry Agus to France and Japan on 2-6 October 2023.

"Regarding the I-EU CEPA, we convey the importance of collaboration to accelerate the settlement of ongoing negotiations, so that both parties can immediately benefit from the agreement," said Minister of Industry Agus in a written statement, quoted Thursday, October 6.

Since 2016, negotiations on the I-EU CEPA deal have been running for 15 rounds. Therefore, Agus wants to know the French Government's opinion on the important points of the agreement, including the settlement of pending issues.

Regarding deforestation, Agus said that as a partner, Indonesia wants sustainable practices that already exist in the agricultural supply chain in commodity producing countries to be recognized. This is related to Indonesian export commodities sent to the European Union.

Agus added, in the last two years, the rate of deforestation in Indonesia has reached its lowest point in history, thanks to various policies implemented by the government. This figure last year fell by 75 percent to its lowest level since monitoring began in 1990.

Therefore, Indonesia wants to continue working with France to ensure this effort remains effective and provides useful results.

On this occasion, Agus also said that the President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo (Jokowi) had just launched the first credit trading scheme in Indonesia last week. This program is one of Indonesia's efforts towards Net Zero Emission (NZE) in 2060.

This scheme is designed to be a new sustainable economic opportunity in accordance with the direction of world movement towards an environmentally friendly economy.

"Once again, I hope France can be part of our change towards a more sustainable future," Agus said.

Meanwhile, regarding the downstream industry policy in Indonesia, Agus said that this is important to bring Indonesia to become a country with a high economy in 2045.

According to him, this policy is also of high added value and the key for Indonesia to be part of the global supply chain.

To that end, Agus invited France to invest and be part of this journey, which could provide high results as early arrivals in various industries.

During the meeting, Agus also conveyed plans for other meetings with business people in France in order to collaborate with joint ventures and capacity building which will provide benefits for both parties.

"We will also meet with French automotive companies to work together in developing the electric vehicle (EV) industry," he concluded.