- ANTARA/Arief Priyono
VIVAnews – Indonesia and Vietnam voiced agreement on the future improvement of trade and investment collaborations in the 18th ASEAN Summit Conference, which was held on the Assembly Hall, Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), on Sunday.
Trade Minister, Mari Elka Pangestu, said the agreement is mainly concerned about food security. “President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono calls on Vietnam to double rice supply," said Pangestu during the ASEAN Summit Conference.
In addition, the minister added, the president also wants Vietnam's support over the idea of regional food security which is currently discussed on ASEAN level.
However, Mari stated that more obstacles will be mostly found on services sector. “We believe as well that the ASEAN-Economy Community Trade in Good is far easier to achieve. As a matter of fact, compared to trade in services, we've managed to get it done in the first place,” she said.
She emphasized on going partnership in the real sector such as health issues, engineering and accounting services. “It's only under the condition that those sectors comply with the ASEAN standards," Pangestu said.
The minister went on to say that trade in services deals with more problems than it is in goods. However, she underlines the many benefits Indonesia may gain from the trade as such.