Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Anindya Bakrie invites the national business world to expand trade access to the Philippines and other ASEAN member countries through the South China Sea.
"We at Kadin encourage the business world to open wider access, that's the best way to make our trade bigger," Anindya Bakrie said in a statement quoting Antara.
Anindya said all ASEAN member countries should increase trade cooperation through the West Philippine Sea which is part of the South China Sea.
"How ASEAN can do better cooperation, this is important to discuss, because there is a lot of trade at sea, the value reaches 3.4 trillion US dollars," said Anindya, on the sidelines of the "West Philippine Sea: Impact on ASEAN Trade & Investment", in Jakarta, Friday (25/10).
Anindya said countries in ASEAN must also be more regionally integrated, especially between Indonesia and the Philippines, considering that half the population of Southeast Asia is in these two countries.
"We are not only talking about the population of Indonesia, 275 million people, but 750 million people in ASEAN, so this event is very good because it can increase investment," said Anindya.
In addition, Anindya assessed that the South China Sea and the West Philippine Sea are a source of livelihood from the community, so it is necessary to prioritize peace in the region.
"We see that not only economically but biodiversity, especially for life under the sea, is also quite large. So we see that the South China Sea territory really must be protected," he said.
CEO and Founder of ASEAN International Advocacy and Consultancy Shanti Shamdasani said the forum discussed the economic impact of the West Philippine Sea.
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The event also discussed the best practice of protecting Indonesia against the Natuna Islands and the importance of a code of ethics in dealing with the problem.
"Protecting the West Philippine Sea in the South China Sea will provide space for recognition of rules-based order in disputed maritime areas," he said.
Also present at the event were the President for International Development & Security Cooperation at the Philippine University of Chester B Cabalza, Gina Jamoralin from the Philippine Embassy in Indonesia, and the Chairman of the Philippines Business Club Indonesia (PBCI) Antonio Capati.
The forum, which was held by PBCI, was attended by the Philippine expatriate community, diplomatic from the Philippines' permanent representative for ASEAN, the Philippine Embassy, to the Jakarta Philippines Trade & Investment Corp (PTIC).
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