Background
As a country expected to become the world’s fifth-largest economy, Indonesia has been an attractive trading partner for many developed countries. The fact that Indonesia is a democracy further helps to establish these relationships, albeit reports that 311 people have died in its recent elections are deeply concerning. Nonetheless, Indonesia has recently concluded trade and investment agreements with EFTA states, Australia and has been negotiating with the EU.
This post evaluates the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (hereafter IA-CEPA), which was signed on 4 March 2019 and will enter into force after national ratification procedures have been completed. The IA-CEPA builds on the existing relationship between the countries and the previously concluded ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA). It provides a legal framework for deepening of the cooperation between the two regional partners through achieving greater market liberalisation in a number of sectors and bringing improvements to business conditions for investors.
As a country expected to become the world’s fifth-largest economy, Indonesia has been an attractive trading partner for many developed countries. The fact that Indonesia is a democracy further helps to establish these relationships, albeit reports that 311 people have died in its recent elections are deeply concerning. Nonetheless, Indonesia has recently concluded trade and investment agreements with EFTA states, Australia and has been negotiating with the EU.
This post evaluates the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (hereafter IA-CEPA), which was signed on 4 March 2019 and will enter into force after national ratification procedures have been completed. The IA-CEPA builds on the existing relationship between the countries and the previously concluded ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA). It provides a legal framework for deepening of the cooperation between the two regional partners through achieving greater market liberalisation in a number of sectors and bringing improvements to business conditions for investors.
