Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia, Dr. Mari Elka Pangestu, visited Beijing, People’s Republic of China on 3 April 2013 and met Minister of Commerce, H.E. Gao Hucheng.
They discussed bilateral developments between Indonesia and China, regional developments as well as the current and future state of multilateral trading system of the World Trade Organization (WTO), whose term of office of its Director General (DG) would expire on 31 August 2013.
The bilateral meeting between the two ministers was held in a positive and cordial environment. Both ministers appreciated the long history and friendship between Indonesia and China, and its current strategic partnership, which has seen trade volume double from 2009 to 2012 and increased investments in various sectors. Minister Gao appreciated Minister Pangestu’s contribution in strengthening Indonesia-China’s bilateral cooperation, as well as regional ties through ASEAN-China Free Trade Area, the ASEAN-East Asia Regional Comprehensive Economic Cooperation (RCEP), APEC and in multilateral for a such as in the WTO.
Minister Pangestu and Minister Gao shared the view of the importance of maintaining confidence and centrality of the multilateral trading system. As both countries have experienced how trade has transformed their countries, both concurred on the continuing importance of prioritizing the trade and development agenda in multilateral trade negotiations.
Both ministers also agreed on the importance of a successful outcome of the 9th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC-9), which will be held in Bali in December. A successful outcome of MC-9 would entail conclusion of the early harvest package and the roadmap to conclude the Doha Development Agenda post-Bali. The early harvest package should include Trade Facilitation and the accompanying capacity building, some development components of agriculture negotiation and the Least Developed Countries (LDC) package. Specifically on the LDC package, Minister Pangestu appreciated China’s contribution in providing Duty Free-Quota Free (DFQF) for LDCs.
Minister Gao also reiterated China’s commitment to support candidate of DG of the WTO coming from developing country, as agreed in the recent BRICS summit, and indicated positive support for Indonesia’s candidacy.
Minister Pangestu and Minister Gao also discussed the current trend of proliferation bilateral and regional trade agreements. In this regards, Minister Pangestu seconded Minister Gao’s opinion that it is important to ensure that these bilateral and regional trade agreements are consistent and complementary with the multilateral trading system. Amongst the important principles to bear in mind to ensure this outcome are openness and transparency.
Minister Pangestu, who was Minister of Trade of Indonesia from October 2004 to October 2011, is convinced that a multilateral trading system is a solution to many problems worldwide. She said, “Since its creation, the WTO has helped generate more trade, more growth, more jobs and more opportunities in the world. Above all, it has lifted people and nations out of poverty in developing countries and created jobs for all member countries.”
Minister Pangestu is one among four ministers who are candidates for the Director General of the WTO. Other than the four ministers, there are five other candidates who are in the race. If elected as the new Director General, Dr. Pangestu would be the first woman to hold the position since the creation of the WTO.
Based on her experience, she understands the importance of inclusion and would ensure that the opportunities from global free trade benefit everyone, men and women, in developed and developing countries, for big business and SMEs.
In January, the Minister already presented her vision and mission to the WTO General Council Meeting in Geneva, as well as meeting WTO members’ representatives. She has also visited Washington DC, Brussels, Paris, Berlin, Warsaw, Budapest, Moscow, Dubai/UAE, Abidjan, Abuja, Cairo, Stockholm, Rabat, Copenhagen, Ottawa, Kingston, Tokyo, and New Delhi in order to share her commitment to integrate every country into the global trading system.
Source: Indonesian Embassy in Beijing
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