maaxx.ca

Jakarta –

Minister of Commerce Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas) is currently located in the United States (US). He traveled to the land of Uncle Sam to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (MRT APEC) Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Detroit, United States of America (US).

During the event on Thursday (25/5), he met with Canadian Minister for International Trade, Export Promotion, SMEs and Economic Development, Mary Ng. During the meeting, the man who goes by the familiar name Zulhas said the agenda for the 2023 ASEAN-Canada summit was a push to expedite the completion of CEPA negotiations between Indonesia and Canada. .

This is in line with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi)’s commitment to complete discussion on the Indonesia-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (ICA-CEPA) soon after his meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on May 20, 2023 On this occasion, Mary Ng encouraged Indonesia’s recognition of halal certification may be resolved soon.

“We promised to push for the Halal certification process and demanded access to Canadian agricultural products from Indonesia. They also requested Indonesia’s support regarding the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF). This collaboration must be concrete for IPEF,” said Zulhas. in a written statement, Friday (26/5/2023).

When it comes to mining, Zulhas said, the Canadian government consistently encourages the implementation of Toward Sustainable Mining (TSM). Then they asked Indonesia’s opinion.

“We convey to them that Indonesia’s policy currently leads downstream (nickel, bauxite). We support the downstream that prioritizes sustainability,” he added.

In addition to meeting with Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, SMEs and Economic Development, Mary Ng, Zulhas also met the Peruvian Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism Juan Carlos Mathews. The meeting was held on different occasions on the sidelines of the APEC MRT event on Thursday (25/5) in Detroit, USA.

During the meeting, Zulhas truly hoped that trade relations between Indonesia and Peru could increase with the completion of the Indonesia-Peru CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement).

“We really hope that trade relations with Peru can be improved through the Indonesia-Peru CEPA. Thus, trade relations can be direct without going through a third party,” he said.

Zulhas acknowledged that Peru is a country that adheres to an open economy. Unfortunately, trade relations between Indonesia and Peru are still very limited.

“We hope to start the process soon. Next year the APEC host will be in Peru,” he said.

During the meeting, Zulhas also proposed that the launch of the negotiations between Indonesia and Peru be done virtually. Moreover, it will only be physically carried out in Peru.

“Later, the technical team will follow up on the preparations launch that,” he explained.

During the meeting which took place at the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel, Detroit, USA, Zulhas was accompanied by the Director General of International Trade Negotiations of the Ministry of Commerce Djatmiko Bris Witjaksono, Chancellor of Paramadina University, Professor Didik J Rachbini, Director General of International Trade Negotiations Ministry of Commerce Reza Pahlevi Chairul, and Special Staff of Minister of Commerce for International Trade Agreements Bara Krishna Hasibuan.

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