Indonesia, India bolster collaboration in five key areas
Indonesian Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan and Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal met in New Delhi on March 14 to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral collaboration in various sectors, including information technology, health, textiles, furniture, education, and human resources.
Indonesian Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan during the Indonesia Country Session at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Partnership Summit 2023 held in New Delhi, India, Tuesday (March 14, 2023) (Photo: antaranews.com)
Jakarta (VNA) ꦫ– Indonesian Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan and Indian Commerce and IndustryMinister Piyush Goyal met in New Delhi on March 14 to discuss ways to strengthen bilateralcollaboration in various sectors, including information technology, health,textiles, furniture, education, and human resources.
The Indonesian minister expressed his optimism aboutopportunities to enhance trade and investment relations and cooperation betweenthe two countries. Zulkifli noted that India isa strategic cooperation partner for Indonesia as it is the fourth-largestexport destination and the 21st-largest source of foreign investment. Besides, the two sides signed the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement. The two sides can immediatelybegin negotiating the bilateral Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), which hasbeen under consideration since 2020 in order to optimise economic potentials ofthe two countries, he added. The minister remarked Indonesia is open to negotiating atrade agreement that focuses on the interests of both countries. He also expressed his hope that the Indian government will reconsider its plan to impose anti-dumping import duties (BMAD) onIndonesian viscose staple fiber (VSF) products, which are a supporting rawmaterial for the Indian textile industry, while noting that one of Indonesia’sbiggest VSF producer is interested in investing in India to developeco-friendly lyocell fiber products of better quality. During the meeting, the two ministers alsodiscussed several issues that hindered efforts to increase bilateral trade,including the export of Indonesian tires and fiber products to India and theimport of Indian buffalo meat, automotive, sugar, and rice to Indonesia./.
The Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the Indian Ministry of Coal are working together to develop and test the underground coal gasification (UCG) technology in two locations in India’s West Bengal and Rahihajit regions.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi held a bilateral meeting with her Indian counterpart on July 7 on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting Bali.
Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto recently met Indian Minister of Trade and Industry Piyush Goyal in the US to discuss the benefits of Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) regional cooperation.
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.
The facility was established in response to a growing shift in the Filipino labour force from the Middle East to Japan, where workers are seeking safer working environments.
In the latest Indonesia-US trade agreement in July, the US administration agreed to reduce the reciprocal tariff, which was initially set at 32% by US President Donald Trump last April, to 19%.
Indonesian Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan during the Indonesia Country Session at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Partnership Summit 2023 held in New Delhi, India, Tuesday (March 14, 2023) (Photo: antaranews.com) 
