RESTRICTED  
  
WT/TPR/W/ 182 
21 December 2020  
(20-9212) Page: 1/68 
Trade Policy Review Body    
 
  
INDONESIA  
DRAFT MINUTES  OF THE MEETING* HELD ON 9 AND 11 DECEMBER 2020  
Delegations are invited to submit factual corrections, if any, on their own statement to the 
Secretariat ( Mrs Barbara Blanquart: barbara.blanquart@wto.org , or to  tprd@wto.org ) no later 
than 18 January 2021 . 
 
Organe d'examen des politiques commerciales  
 
INDONÉSIE  
PROJET DE COMPTE RENDU DE LA RÉUNION* TENUE LES 9 ET 11 DÉCEMBRE 2020  
Les délégations sont invitées à soumettre  leurs éventuelles corrections factuelles concernant leurs 
propres déclarations au Secrétariat ( Mme Barbara Blanquart: barbar a.blanquart@wto.org , ou 
tprd@wto.org ) le 18 janvier 2021  au plus tard.  
 
Órgano de Examen de las Políticas Comerciales  
 
INDONESIA  
PROYECTO DE ACTA DE LA REUNIÓN* CELEBRADA  
LOS DÍAS 9 Y 11 DE DICIEMBRE DE 2020  
Las delegaciones pueden enviar a la Secretaría (Sr a. Barbara Blanquart: 
barbara.blanquart@wto.org , o tprd@wto.org ) a más tardar el 18 de enero de 2021  las 
correcciones fácticas que deseen introducir en sus propias declaraciones.  
 
_______________  
 
 
  
 
* In Original language only/ En langue originale seulement /En el idioma original solamente . WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 2 - 
 
  TRADE POLICY REVIEW  
INDONESIA  
DRAFT  MINUTES OF THE MEETING  
Chairperson: H.E. Mr Harald Aspelund (Iceland)  
CONTENTS  
 
1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON  ................................ .......................  3 
2  OPENING STATEMENT BY THE REPR ESENTATIVE OF INDONESIA  ................................ . 5 
3  STATEMENT BY THE DISCUSSANT  ................................ ................................ ................  9 
4  STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS  ................................ ................................ ........................  13 
5  REPLIES BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF INDONESIA AND ADDITIONAL COMMENTS  .... 59 
6  CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON  ................................ .........................  67 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note: Advance written questions and additional questions by WTO Members, and the replies provided 
by Indonesia are reproduced in document WT/TPR/M/401/Add.1 and will be available online at 
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp_rep_e.htm.  WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 3 - 
 
  1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON  
1.1.  The seventh Trade Policy Review of Indonesia was he ld on 9 and 11 December 2020. The 
Chairperson, H.E.  Mr. Harald Aspelund (Iceland), welcomed the delegation of Indonesia, headed by 
H.E. Mr. Jerry (Adhitya Ksatria) Sambuaga, Vice Minister for Trade; the Indonesian delegation; and 
the discussant, H.E. Ambas sador Ángel Villalobos Rodríguez (Mexico). He thanked the Indonesian 
delegation for the flexibility shown in accepting to have the meeting held in this format, in spite of 
the time difference with its capital and all the logistic inconveniences  
1.2.  The Chairpe rson was pleased that, in addition to physical presence, the meeting also benefited 
from the Interprefy online connection, allowing for a wider participation of the Membership, in 
particular of Indonesian officials who could not make the journey from Jakar ta given the current 
circumstances.  
1.3.  The Chairperson recalled the purpose of TPRs and the main elements of procedures for the 
meeting. The report by Indonesia is contained in document WT/TPR/G/401 and that of the WTO 
Secretariat in document WT/TPR/S/401.  
1.4.  Questions by the following delegations were submitted in writing before the deadline: 
Dominican Republic; Brazil; Argentina; Canada; Mexico; Republic of Korea; Australia; Peru; Chile; 
United States; United Kingdom; Colombia; Chinese Taipei; New Zealand; Mal aysia; Singapore; 
European Union; Switzerland; Pakistan; Norway; Ukraine; Japan; Philippines; and Russian 
Federation. The following delegations submitted written questions after the deadline: Thailand; 
Turkey; India; Kazakhstan; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Ch ina; Iceland; and Cambodia.  
1.5.  During the previous TPR meeting on 10 and 12 April 2013, Members had commended Indonesia 
on its strong economic performance and solid progress in consolidating economic reform, and had 
encouraged addressing the remaining challen ges to future economic development, inter alia, 
economic and trade diversification, infrastructure and income distribution, and the business 
environment and governance. For the current Review, Members, through their advance written 
questions, sought inform ation regarding participation in global and regional value chains, monetary 
and exchange rate policy measures, and policies and/or programmes to address the impact of the 
COVID -19 pandemic and to encourage gender equality and women 's empowerment.  
1.6.  Members a lso recalled that, at the time of the previous Review, while stressing Indonesia's 
growing economic prominence globally and its constructive role on the international stage, they 
expressed growing concerns about new trade and investment measures that raise d important 
questions about the direction of trade and investment policy -making and that seemed, at times, to 
be at odds with professed support for open trade and strengthening the multilateral trading system. 
As indicated by the advance written questions for this Review, several Members wished to have more 
details on: policy objectives relating to raising industrial value added and import substitution; the 
new omnibus legislation; the ratification and impact of the Regional Comprehensive Economic 
Partnersh ip (RCEP) Agreement; ownership limitations and the time -frame for the revision of the 
2016 negative investment list; the Online Single Submission platform; and, developments in bilateral 
investment treaties.  
1.7.  With regard to trade policy, at the time of the previous Review, Members had welcomed 
Indonesia's overall efforts in the areas of customs reform, steps to reduce the average applied MFN 
tariff rate, and its observership to the GPA. However, they had expressed concern about other issues, 
such as the larg e tariff binding gap between bound and applied rates, a number of trade restrictive 
measures (e.g. import licensing and permits, point -of-entry restrictions, pre -shipment inspection, 
and various export taxes and prohibitions), the increasingly frequent use  of safeguards 
investigations, investment barriers, the low use of international standards, and the lack of risk 
analysis for certain SPS -related measures. They had also encouraged Indonesia to timely notify 
regulations that may affect trading partners bef ore implementation, simplify import requirements 
and procedures and make them more transparent, and review more periodically its negative list for 
investment. During the review period, the general thrust of trade policy had been revised in several 
areas, i ncluding: tariffs; customs procedures; import and export prohibitions; restrictions and 
licensing; export taxes; and export finance, guarantees and insurance. For this Review, in their 
advance written questions, some Members expressed interest in learning more about developments 
in certain areas, such as: customs clearance, customs valuation and trade -facilitation initiatives; WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 4 - 
 
  tariffs; import prohibitions, quantitative restrictions and licensing developments; safeguard and 
anti-dumping actions; the use of l ocal-content requirements; export taxes and prohibitions; and 
free-trade and special economic zones. Members were also interested in tax reforms and incentives; 
labelling and certification requirements; SPS issues; the reform of state -owned enterprises; 
government procurement; price controls; and, changes to the IPR regime.  
1.8.  In terms of sectoral trade policies, Members were interested in having more clarity on: several 
aspects of the agriculture, fisheries and forestry regulatory framework, policy and measur es; foreign 
investment requirements and export restrictions in mining; energy foreign investment, regulatory 
developments, fuel subsidization and renewable sources; the electric vehicles programme; the 
services development strategy; developments in market access barriers regarding financial services; 
competition issues in telecommunications; transport strategies and FDI restrictions; e -commerce 
developments; and the international medical tourism initiative.  
1.9.  Indonesia received around 900 advance written que stions from 32 delegations for this Review. 
The Chairperson was informed by the Secretariat that, unfortunately, Indonesia was not in a position 
to provide replies before the start of the meeting.  
1.10.   The meeting was a good opportunity for Members to discuss i n greater detail issues of interest 
to them and of systemic importance to the multilateral trading system. It was also an opportune 
moment for Indonesia to update the Membership on the impact of COVID -19 on its economy, and 
measures it had taken in respons e to it. The Chairperson looked forward to a fruitful exchange.  
  WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 5 - 
 
  2  OPENING STATEMENT BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF INDONESIA (H.E. MR. JERRY  
SAMBUAGA)  
2.1.  It is a great honor for me to be here today to lead the Indonesian delegation to the seventh 
Trade Policy Review, which will continue the day after tomorrow. My name is Jerry Sambuaga, the 
Vice Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia, and I am taske d by my Government to lead the 
Indonesian delegation to this important meeting in view of current national, regional and global 
economic contexts.  
2.2.  As all of us may observe, preparing, and holding a Trade Policy Review this year takes a lot 
more time and en ergy than we all may have expected. This is due to the challenges brought about 
by the Covid -19 pandemic which have created new pressures on member states under review, 
particularly in terms of pursuing internal coordination amongst relevant agencies in ti mes of 
COVID -related lockdowns and restrictions, and in term of coordination between Members' capital 
and Geneva.  
2.3.  On that note, the Indonesian delegation wishes to convey its high appreciation to you, His 
Excellency Ambassador Harald Aspelund, Chairman of  the Trade Policy Review Body, for providing 
guidance and leading this policy review process. Our sincerest thank also goes to His Excellency 
Ambassador Ángel Villalobos Rodríguez of Mexico for taking up the task as our discussant. Last but 
not least, we w ould like to convey our gratitude to the WTO Secretariat for working closely with 
Indonesia's Task Force so that both the Secretariat report and the Government report could be 
completed in time.  
2.4.  Before I begin with the more substantive points, my delegati on wishes to extend our 
condolences to the Member States who have experienced natural disasters, and to anyone who is 
suffering from Covid -19 and has lost loved ones or friends to the pandemic. I hope that all delegates 
and their families are healthy and c oping well in this time of trying.  
2.5.  The global economy has evolved enormously since Indonesia's last Trade Policy Review in 
2013. Disruptions spurred by Industry 4.0 continue to pose a new challenge to us. Trust deficit in 
the multilateral trading system continues to cause adverse domino eff ects on ways Member States 
of the WTO engage with each other. These include, among others:  
• continued if not the deepening and further expansion of trade tension between two major 
economies and its impacts on other countries;  
• increased trade barriers and the use of trade remedy measures;  
• "tit-for-tat" approach to economic relations, which may put aside the incentives for 
international cooperation;  
• a tendency toward punitive plurilateral actions; and  
• the proliferation of bilateral trade agreements.  
 
2.6.  We ha ve witnessed a continued slowdown in global trade in recent years, only to be aggravated 
by the spread of the Covid -19 pandemic, which has caused an unprecedented impact on the global 
economy and trade. It is against such a backdrop that I wish to provide an introductory remark to 
our Government report before us to better understand how our economy has evolved since 2013.   
2.7.  Despite the continued presence of global challenges throughout the review period, Indonesia 
has ensured solid growth and sustained devel opment. The resilience of Indonesia's economy is a 
reflection of its relatively strong fundamentals and sound macroeconomic policy.  
2.8.  During the review period from 2013 to 2019, Indonesia's annual average GDP growth rate 
stood at 5.1%. In terms of value, Ind onesia's GDP per capita increased from USD 3,531 in 2014 to 
USD 3,927 in 2018, which is equal to the GNI per capita of USD 3,820. We managed to keep the 
poverty level at a low single -digit of 9.82% in 2018, on account of our effective poverty alleviation 
programs.  
2.9.  As shown in Chart 2.3 in our Government report, we managed to keep the inflation rate within 
the target of 3% between 2015 and the early months of 2020. Higher inflation rates were recorded 
in 2013 and 2014 due to the increase in energy prices ca used by a strategic measure taken by the 
Government to reallocate energy subsidies to infrastructure development and social programs. This, WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 6 - 
 
  amongst others, has allowed the Government to lower the unemployment rate from 5.94% in 2014 
to 5% in 2019.  
2.10.   Some ec onomic achievements I mentioned earlier are the resultants of policies and measures 
taken by the Government of Indonesia to improve the eco -system in time of continued challenges 
in the world economy. These policies and measures include the improvement of investment climate, 
enhancement of industrial competitiveness, upgrading of logistics efficiency, promotion of tourism, 
and strengthening the people's purchasing power. It should be underlined that domestic demand 
and government procurement have been the m ain driving forces in our economy in response to 
changing external conditions.  
2.11.   It is not included in our report, but allow me to refer to the World Bank Doing Business Reports 
between 2014 and 2020 for us to understand more about how Indonesia's economy ev olves during 
the Review period. The Ease of Doing Business Reports on Indonesia suggests that we managed to 
improve our rank of overall index from 120 in 2014 to 73 in 2020. We continue to believe that there 
is plenty of room for Indonesia to make further improvements. Two out of 10 parameters will be 
given special attention for significant improvements in the near future. They are "dealing with 
construction permits" and "trading across borders." Let me touch on these two parameters briefly.  
2.12.   On "dealing wit h construction permits," we see the need for better policy coordination between 
the Central and Regional Governments to address the issue. This is particularly the case as Indonesia 
adopts a decentralization policy to allow regional governments to make dec isions on some economic 
policies so as to ensure that they fit specific regional settings on the ground. However, as the 
economic challenges continue to become more complex both at the central and regional levels, the 
Government should do something about i t to resolve the persistent problems.  
2.13.   On "trading across borders," one should not lose sight of the external environment within 
which our economy operates. Earlier I mentioned the growing tendencies toward raising trade 
barriers, the "tit -for-tat" approac h in international trade, more resort to trade remedy measures, 
and unilateral actions. This is not to mention an increased trend toward the adoption of new 
standards which, in some cases, is questionable whether they are based on a genuine consideration 
of protecting human health and life, or they have something to do with stiffer competition in the 
markets.  
2.14.   This is not to say that it is fine for Indonesia, or any other country on that matter, to just 
follow the trend of raising barriers. Indonesia will ad dress the issues, but we hope that others also 
do the same in order to restore confidence in international trade. It takes "two to tango" if we are 
to make difference in the multilateral trading system.  
2.15.   If I could quote our President's assertion after the signing of the Regional Comprehensive 
Economic Partnership or RCEP on 15 November 2020, "Indonesia is for an open economy." Our 
President did not categorically talk about "liberalization" but, rather, about opening our economy in 
a fair and win -win manner.  I believe this is a key to understand where Indonesia is heading to. This 
explains why Indonesia continues negotiating trade agreements with like -minded countries, big and 
small, in our quest for a better position on the global trade map; a better place i n the global value 
chain which is being confronted now by more centripetal forces than centrifugal ones.  
2.16.   While continuing to support the multilateral trading system by participating actively in 
discussions in the WTO as illustrated in paragraph 3.4 of our Government report, Indonesia also has 
been quite proactive in pursuing regional and bilateral trade negotiations which — we believe — can 
serve as the building blocks in support of a stronger multilateral trading system.  
2.17.   Within ASEAN, Indonesia has been a ctive to work with other nine ASEAN Member States to 
implement the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint 2015 –2025. With nine ASEAN Member States, 
we are also an active party to review and improve the existing ASEAN Plus One FTAs with ASEAN's 
six trading part ners. 
2.18.   Bilaterally, we are in the process of upgrading Indonesia's Preferential Trade Agreement with 
Pakistan and the Economic Partnership Agreement with Japan. Indonesia is working with Chile now 
to start bilateral negotiations on trade in services and investment to complement our 
already -entered -into-force bilateral trade in goods agreement. We have entered the implementation WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 7 - 
 
  stage of our Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Australia while in the final 
process of ratifying our Preferential  Trade Agreement with Mozambique and Comprehensive 
Economic Partnership with EFTA countries.  
2.19.   Further on the bilateral front, we are in the process of negotiating trade deals with the 
European Union, Tunisia, Turkey, Bangladesh, Mauritius, and Morocco, whil e planning to sign the 
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Korea very soon this month. We also have 
initiated exploratory talks with other countries in Africa and South Asia, as well as groups of countries 
like the Eurasian Economic Union, ME RCOSUR, and members of the Gulf Cooperation Council.  
2.20.   All this is not to mention the recently signed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership 
or RCEP Agreement amongst its 15 participating countries. Indonesia has been the initiator of the 
RCEP concept and played a key role in the negotiation process as the ASEAN Country Coordinator 
for RCEP Negotiation, and in chairing the RCEP Trade Negotiating Committee.  
2.21.   The point my Delegation wishes to make is that Indonesia continues to reform the economy. 
Basicall y, we can do it in two ways. We may do the reform by ourselves, deciding on the parameters 
and targets by ourselves, then proceed with the reform. Instead, we opt for doing it in parallel with 
negotiating some economic deals with our trading partners in or der to get the bonus; that is, better 
market access and more investment.  
2.22.   On the latter, it is worth mentioning that we are not only inviting in -bound investment but 
also promoting out -bound investment. Between 2014 and 2018, about 51 Indonesian companies 
established their overseas investment, including in ASEAN and other countries such as India, China, 
Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, and Australia. These investments were established in various sectors, among 
others in constructions, software, IT services, financial  services, and pharmacy. Our business also 
made a big investment in Nigeria, Canada, some European countries, Ecuador, and others in such 
sectors as food, pulp and paper, biofuel, and Spa.  
2.23.   Back to "behind the border," in the context of creating a more cond ucive environment for 
business, the Government introduced the online processing platforms for investment and business 
licensing procedures in 2018. Much earlier, we had established Indonesia's National Single Window 
to facilitate exporters and importers to  do the on -line mandatory processing for their export and 
import activities. On this platform, we also added Indonesia's Trade Repository —an authoritative 
source of information relating to exports and imports. And of course, in line with our commitment 
under the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, we have established Indonesia's Trade Facilitation 
Committee to ensure the timely provisions of our commitments under the Agreement.  
2.24.   To peel the onion a little bit, in 2017 Indonesia established the Indonesia TBT Na tional 
Committee to ensure better coordination on TBT issues with all stakeholders. The Committee is 
tasked to observe the effective operationalization of the principle of transparency enshrined in the 
WTO TBT Agreement.  
2.25.   All this brings me to what we cons ider as a very important point in the context of Indonesia's 
Trade Policy Review this time.  
2.26.   On 2 November 2020, the Government enacted the so -called Omnibus Law on Job Creation. 
This is a direct response of our Government to the many concerns raised by th e private sectors — 
national and from other countries — on the uncertainties and high -cost economy they have been 
facing for years in, and with, Indonesia.  
2.27.   In a nutshell, the Omnibus Law focuses on nine broad areas and two implementing 
arrangements. These  nine broad areas cover the followings:  
• improvement of investment eco -system;  
• simplification of business permits;  
• employment and job creation;  
• support for micro, small and medium enterprises;  
• ease of doing business;  
• research and innovation;  
• land acquisitio ns; WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 8 - 
 
  • economic zones; and  
• establishment of the Sovereign Wealth Fund as well as the acceleration of strategic national 
projects.  
 
2.28.   The two implementing arrangements I mentioned earlier are on, first, the administration of 
the Law which includes Good Regulator y Practices; Service Level Agreement; Norms, Standards, 
Procedures, and Criteria; and digitalization of government services. The other arrangement is on 
sanctions.  
2.29.   In response to a total of 890 questions we received from the Member States as of 
8 December  2020, we intend to provide rather general yet meaningful answers for Members to get 
better understanding of where Indonesia is coming from and which direction we are going to. We 
may not be in the position to provide detailed responses in time as delegates  may expect, and this 
is due to the fact that around 19 ministries are now in the process of drafting the implementing 
regulations which should be completed within 90 days after the official adoption of the Law on 
2 November  2020.  
2.30.   Nevertheless, we will do our best in terms of providing adequate responses to all questions, 
and in parallel taking them as inputs to the making of implementing regulations of the Law.  
2.31.   To conclude, Mr. Chairman and delegates, I wish that this Trade Policy Review will be of 
partic ular benefits to Members and Indonesia as we would like to contribute positively — however 
little it maybe — to the restoration of strong confidence in the multilateral trading system which 
should allow an open, fair and predictable trade environment for a ll Members of the WTO. I thank 
you, Mr. Chairman.  
  WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 9 - 
 
  3  STATEMENT BY THE DISCUSSANT  
3.1.  Muchas gracias, señor Presidente , muy buenos días a todos, espero que todos se encuentren 
bien, al igual que sus familias en esta emergencia sanitaria.  
3.2.  Me gustaría iniciar dando la bienvenida a la delegación de Indonesia a su séptimo examen de 
políticas comerciales, encabezada por el Sr . Jerry Sambuaga, Viceministro de Comercio.  
3.3.  Me permito agradecerle al Sr. Sambuaga por su excelente presentación, asimismo, al 
Embajador Harald Aspelund, por sus palabras introductorias y, finalmente, a la Secretaría de la OMC 
por el profesionalismo mostr ado en su informe. Al mismo tiempo me permito destacar la valiosa 
labor que realiza ante esta Organización la Misión de Indonesia.  
3.4.  Me siento honrado de participar en este Examen de Indonesia, resulta enriquecedor el revisar 
las políticas, acciones y el de sempeño de esta gran economía en su esfuerzo por desarrollarse y 
mejorar el nivel de vida de su población. Iniciaré presentando algunas consideraciones económicas 
generales, abordaré algunos aspectos de la política comercial de Indonesia, destacando alguno s 
temas específicos relacionados con los acuerdos de nuestra Organización y terminaré con algunas 
consideraciones finales.  
Consideraciones económicas generales  
3.5.  Indonesia es sin duda un manjar geográfico con 17,000 islas en una superficie de casi 
2 millones  de km2, cuenta con valiosos ecosistemas oceánicos, con un potencial enorme para la 
economía azul y está situada estratégicamente. Tiene gran diversidad cultural y étnica, con una 
población superior a los 270 millones de habitantes, la mitad de ellos, meno res de treinta años. Esta 
diversidad y juventud constituye una riqueza invaluable para Indonesia, pero también le plantea 
enormes retos. Por su tamaño económico, por su población y por su gran potencial, Indonesia está 
llamada a tener una participación cre ciente en los asuntos mundiales.  
3.6.  La emergencia sanitaria en curso ha derivado en la primera recesión económica en Indonesia 
desde 1998. La expansión económica prolongada refleja un manejo macroeconómico prudente y una 
exposición moderada a riesgos externos . Los niveles razonables del déficit fiscal y de la deuda, han 
permitido la aplicación significativa de recursos para mitigar los efectos económicos y sociales. En 
el trimestre reciente se registró una recuperación de la actividad económica, pero su sosten ibilidad 
y vigor estará sujeta al control efectivo de la pandemia. En el periodo actual de revisión, Indonesia 
registró, como lo mencionó el Viceministro, una tasa de crecimiento del PIB del 5,1%, que, si bien 
es inferior al 5,9% del examen previo, dicho c recimiento es dos puntos mayor al promedio global de 
3,1% y superior al promedio de los miembros ASEAN de 4,9%.  
3.7.  Previo a la crisis en curso, desde el año 2000, Indonesia redujo de manera importante el nivel 
de desempleo, disminuyó la población en niveles d e pobreza a la mitad, así como registró una 
relevante disminución de la desigualdad, reflejado en la reducción del coeficiente de Gini. Estas 
tendencias son ciertamente alentadoras, habrá que ver la dimensión de su retroceso en virtud de la 
crisis sanitari a en curso, será interesante para los Miembros escuchar los planes de Indonesia para 
retomar su trayectoria.  
3.8.  Cabe destacar que, con relación a muchas otras economías comparables, Indonesia tiene una 
mayor participación de empresas del Estado en una amplia gama de sectores de la actividad 
económica, cuenta con una estructura de gobernanza económica coordinada y un estructurado 
sistema de planeación económica con objetivos concretos y con una visualización a mediano y largo 
plazo.  
3.9.  Algunos de esos objetivos s on ciertamente de crecimiento hacia adentro ( "inward looking ") 
tales como apuntalar la soberanía alimentaria, la soberanía energética, desarrollar la industria y los 
servicios domésticos. Al mismo tiempo, se plantean objetivos relevantes de internacionaliz ación 
económica que implican crecientes compromisos comerciales internacionales. En este contexto de 
coexistencia de objetivos hacia adentro y hacia afuera se da la política comercial que tiene que 
manejarse entre intereses domésticos diversos, públicos y privados, en una joven y vibrante 
democracia. La coexistencia referida es relevante para contextualizar algunas de las inquietudes 
externadas por algunos Miembros.  WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 10 - 
 
  3.10.   Es destacable que gran parte de la expansión económica del período de examen provino del 
crecimiento del mercado interno, vía el consumo y la inversión. Llama la atención que la participación 
del comercio de bienes y servicios en el PIB disminuyó durante el período de examen, pasando del 
48,6% en el 2013 al 37,3% en 2019, es una reducción de casi  11 puntos porcentuales, no es 
descartable que una mayor inserción de Indonesia en los circuitos mundiales de comercio e inversión 
le permitiría crecer a tasas aún mayores. Será interesante ver en el próximo Examen de políticas 
comerciales el impacto que t endrían los recientes esfuerzos de Indonesia en ese sentido.  
Aspectos de política comerciales y temas específicos OMC  
3.11.   En cuanto a aspectos de política comercial y temas específicos de la OMC, he de decir que 
nadie va a acusar al Gobierno de Indonesia de se r pasivo, por el contrario, ha sido un gobierno muy 
activo. Es de reconocerse que, durante el período de examen, Indonesia llevó a cabo numerosas 
reformas, implementó medidas y renovaciones al marco normativo que de manera directa e indirecta 
han abonado a  la actualización de sus políticas comerciales y de inversión. Sin ser exhaustivo y ya 
mucho fue mencionado previamente, quisiera destacar los avances significativos registrados en los 
rubros de combate a la corrupción, se mencionó lo de los cambios al rég imen de inversión, en 
facilitación de comercio, en algunos aspectos de compras de gobierno, en propiedad intelectual, en 
cuestiones fitosanitarias, en la modernización del sistema de normas, en la legislación del comercio 
electrónico, en algunos aspectos d e competencia y en compras de gobierno. Asimismo, destaca, la 
inversión en infraestructura, la red de fibra óptica, así como el objetivo de mediano plazo de 
consolidarse como un centro logístico de la región.  
3.12.   En particular, quiero destacar la flexibilización a las restricciones a la inversión extranjera 
directa en varias áreas, como telecomunicaciones, transporte, turismo y servicios de distribución. 
Aunado a esto, Indonesia ha escalado importantes escaños en e l "Índice de Facilidad para Crear una 
Empresa " del Banco Mundial, pasando del lugar 128 al 73 durante el periodo de examen.   
3.13.   Por otra parte, Indonesia ha sido muy activo en ampliar la red de acuerdos bilaterales y 
regionales, como lo mencionó el Viceminist ro, donde detalló todos los acuerdos que ya concluyeron 
y lo que tienen en curso, destacando, principalmente, el acuerdo reciente de la Asociación Económica 
Regional Integral (RCEP). Simplemente quiero reiterar que tiene una agenda internacional muy 
activa  de ampliar su red de acuerdos y además que ha sido un participante muy activo en el G20 y 
en APEC.  
3.14.   En el ámbito multilateral del comercio, Indonesia ha mostrado un fuerte compromiso con el 
sistema, prueba de ello es la exitosa organización de la 9ª Confe rencia Ministerial en 2013.  
3.15.   Indonesia ha sido un importante interlocutor en las negociaciones sobre agricultura, siendo 
el coordinador del G33 y participa activamente en las Iniciativas Conjuntas de Comercio Electrónico, 
Regulación Nacional de los Servici os, Comercio y Género y, Facilitación de la Inversión. Por la enorme 
dimensión de su sector de MiPyMEs y por su experiencia en fortalecer el sector, Indonesia sería un 
valioso participante de la Iniciativa Conjunta sobre las MSMES ( "Micro, Small and Medium  
Enterprises "), por lo que sería importante que reconsidere su incorporación.  
3.16.   Por otra parte, no obstante que hay notificaciones pendientes referentes a las medidas en 
materia de inversiones relacionadas con el comercio y de restricciones cuantitativas, du rante el 
periodo de examen, Indonesia presentó y se puso al día en diversas notificaciones. Seguramente 
continuará con esta tendencia de cumplimiento en materia de transparencia.   
3.17.   Habiendo dicho lo anterior y reconociendo todo el trabajo del gobierno de In donesia para 
modernizar aspectos que directa e indirectamente inciden en el comercio, es relevante comentar 
que, del Informe de la Secretaría y de las 890 preguntas formuladas por los miembros, se 
desprenden la presencia de algunas complicaciones al comerc io que ciertamente requieren atención. 
Algunas de ellas son en frontera y otras son más allá de la frontera. Algunas son aparentemente 
fáciles de atender, cómo el que la publicación de alguna documentación solamente sea en el idioma 
local, otras refieren m edidas cuya operación dificulta y/o encarece el comercio y otras se refieren a 
cuestionamientos a las políticas en sí mismas.  
3.18.   De manera muy general, me permito referir que se reporta un incremento del arancel aplicado 
a ciertos productos agropecuarios e in dustriales, a contracorriente de lo que es la tendencia en otros WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 11 - 
 
  países de ASEAN. Asimismo, se reporta que persiste insuficiente transparencia y complejidades en 
el otorgamiento de licencias de importación, duplicación de algunas verificaciones fitosanitar ias y 
onerosidad de las mismas, así como prohibiciones y restricciones cuantitativas para algunos 
productos, condicionamientos de contenido nacional en compras públicas y en la estrategia de 
desarrollo de ciertas industrias, la disminución de Normas Nacion ales armonizadas con normas 
internacionales, la obligación al titular de la patente a fabricar los productos en Indonesia y la 
necesidad de fortalecer la protección efectiva a los derechos de propiedad.  
3.19.   A lo largo de las preguntas enviadas por los Miembros , se refleja el interés por una mayor 
transparencia por parte de Indonesia en relación con estas medidas, así como los fundamentos de 
sus restricciones cuantitativas y su consistencia con los compromisos ante la OMC y la perspectiva 
de su reversión.  
3.20.   En cua nto a los remedios comerciales, el recurso de las medidas antidumping continua con el 
alza de medidas en vigor, sobre todo en el caso de productos de acero. La aplicación de medidas de 
salvaguardia decayó, pero Indonesia sigue siendo uno de los principales  usuarios de estas medidas, 
principalmente en estos mismos productos de acero. Algunos Miembros han mostrado interés en 
conocer la justificación al uso de estas medidas y si Indonesia planea modificar esta tendencia en el 
futuro.  
3.21.   Por otra parte, se recono cen los avances en la liberalización de más sectores a la IED, pero 
algunos miembros consideran que todavía existe espacio para ubicar a Indonesia en las mismas 
condiciones que otras economías de la región, particularmente en el sector financiero y otros 
servicios, las preguntas de los Miembros se refieren a posibles avances en el futuro.  
3.22.   Si bien, ha habido una reducción de empresas estatales, el número de ellas, algunos 
miembros consideran que una racionalización mayor es un área de oportunidad, según se r efleja en 
varias de las preguntas planteadas en donde señalan su interés en conocer los planes que Indonesia 
tiene a corto y mediano plazo en esta materia (quieren saber sobre tiempos y sectores). Asimismo, 
el Informe de la Secretaría refiere preocupacione s relativas a la operación de las empresas 
paraestatales, en virtud de los subsidios que reciben, su efecto no deseable en la competencia, el 
desincentivo a la participación privada y a su eficiencia mejorable.  
3.23.   Asimismo, se reconocen avances en algunos asp ectos del marco que regula la competencia, 
pero se puntualiza que la autoridad competente carece de instrumentos y recursos para la efectiva 
aplicación del mismo. En pocas palabras le faltan dientes a la institución.  
3.24.   Las preguntas recibidas por parte de l os Miembros abordan sus inquietudes de manera 
específica y seguramente será complementado por las intervenciones que habremos de escuchar en 
este intercambio productivo del examen en curso.  
Consideraciones finales  
3.25.   A manera de consideraciones finales y agradeciendo lo que expuso el Viceministro de que la 
ley recientemente promulgada contiene elementos que pudieran cambiar las cosas en muchos 
sentidos de la problemática que refieren algunos Miembros, quisiera a manera  de reflexión quisiera 
reiterar la inevitable tensión de la coexistencia de políticas de crecimiento hacia adentro con una 
agenda de política comercial que implica crecientes compromisos internacionales, lo cual parece 
reflejarse cada vez más en un examen cómo este. Mantener el balance entre estas dos dinámicas 
será ciertamente un reto, por lo que será importante escuchar a las autoridades de Indonesia su 
visión al respecto. Es evidente que se da un acotamiento al espacio de política conforme se adquieren 
más compromisos internacionales.  
3.26.   Por otra parte, el tamaño del mercado interno de Indonesia es ciertamente un atractivo para 
la inversión extranjera, de hecho, dicha inversión llega principalmente para participar del mercado 
y no para establecer un centro manufacturero exportador, pudiendo hacer las dos cosas. Será de 
interés entender qué regulación de la IED, qué aspectos de la política comercial y qué elementos del 
costo país disuaden a los inversionistas de dicho emprendimiento en mayor escala. La búsque da de 
eficiencias no parece ser un motivador importante para la llegada de IED.  WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 12 - 
 
  3.27.   Sería previsible que la economía de Indonesia, con una mayor inserción a los flujos de 
comercio e inversión aunado al perfeccionamiento de su medio ambiente de negocios, segura mente 
redundará en un crecimiento aún más dinámico en el futuro.  
3.28.   Para concluir, quisiera reiterar que previo al ajuste económico en curso, la economía de 
Indonesia, gracias a un manejo pragmático y prudente, registraba una prolongada expansión 
económica co n un promedio anual superior al 5%, seguramente superada la crisis, retomará su 
dinamismo.  
3.29.   Estoy convencido de que las discusiones de este examen serán muy productivas y cumplirán 
con el objetivo para lo cual este tipo de exámenes fueron establecidos. Reit ero mi agradecimiento 
para ser considerado como ponente, ha sido ciertamente enriquecedor.  
3.30.   Le deseo a Indonesia el mayor de los éxitos durante este, su séptimo Examen de políticas 
comerciales. Muchas Gracias, señor Presidente.  
  WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 13 - 
 
  4  STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS  
BRAZIL  
4.1.  Let me start by welcoming the Indonesian delegation, headed by Jerry Adhitya Ksatria 
Sambuaga, vice -minister for Trade, and by thanking the Indonesian Mission in Geneva, and 
especially Ambassadors Grata Endah Werdanigtyas and Syamsul Bahri Siregar, for its efforts and 
contributions to this important exercise.  
4.2.  I would also like to express our sincere appreciation to the Indonesian Government and the 
WTO Secretariat for their reports, as well as to the discussant, Ambassador Ángel Villalobos 
Rodríguez (Mexico), for his insightful observations, and you, Chair, for your opening comments.  
4.3.  Brazil values all WTO functions, including monitoring and transparency, and has been working 
tirelessly to strengthen them. Bearing in mind that only with reliable and up -to-date information on 
policies and practices adopted in different parts of the world, governments and private sectors can 
make their best decisions, the current pandemic has reinforced the perception on the importance of 
transparency. It is in this conte xt that I welcome this seventh Trade Policy Review of Indonesia.  
4.4.  I would like to start by highlighting Indonesia's recent economic results. Not only did 
Indonesia's economy grow at a rate of 5% per year between 2015 and 2019, but there was a 
significant in crease in the number of jobs and in its GDP per capita. In spite of uncertainties both in 
the regional and global economic landscapes, Indonesia managed not only to steadily grow, but also 
to control inflation and to reduce income inequality.  
4.5.  I would also like to note that Indonesia has improved its commitments to the multilateral trade 
regime, through the ratification of the Trade Facilitation Agreement and various instruments in the 
field of intellectual property, as well as its efforts to comply with not ification requirements in different 
areas and its active participation in fisheries negotiations.  
4.6.  As a Member committed to promote trade facilitation, Brazil encourages Indonesia to continue 
to increase the implementation of its commitments in the differen t categories of the TFA.  
4.7.  As a supporter of the Dispute Settlement System, Brazil urges Indonesia not to forestall the 
smooth running of procedures, particularly of DS 484 on Measures Concerning the Importation of 
Chicken Meat and Chicken Products, which w ould frustrate Members' rights and obligations under 
the covered agreements and would not contribute to the prompt settlement of disputes, during the 
current exceptional and unforeseen circumstances caused by the inoperability of the Appellate Body.  
4.8.  As a p artner in agricultural negotiations, Brazil draws special attention to the agendas of 
domestic support, in which Indonesia acts as a facilitator, and market access, since Indonesia still 
maintains high average MFN tariffs for agricultural products, signifi cant tariff peaks and several 
complex tariffs.  
4.9.  As a Member interested in promoting a more open and fair multilateral trading system, Brazil 
recalls that the adoption of TBT and SPS measures must take place in a manner that is compatible 
with multilateral d isciplines.  
4.10.   Finally, as a proponent of the WTO reform process, Brazil invites Indonesia to actively engage 
in discussions on the future of the Organization, based on negotiating mandates that reflect the 
current international trade landscape.  
4.11.   Brazil and I ndonesia, strategic partners since 2008, have two of the largest populations in the 
world and we are proud of our multi -ethnic character. We have large territories, with important 
biodiversity and natural resources. We are major agricultural exporters, mem bers of the Cairns 
Group at the WTO. We are two emerging economies, members of the G20. We are the largest 
economies, respectively, of MERCOSUR and ASEAN and we value our regional integration processes. 
We are among the major democracies in the world and w e went through processes of transition and 
democratic consolidation in the past decades.  WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 14 - 
 
  4.12.   Brazil and Indonesia also share common challenges: promoting development; reducing social 
and regional disparities; strengthening our integration in global and region al value chains; and 
completing our digital transformation.  
4.13.   Our bilateral trade is still far below its potential. In 2019, trade between our two countries 
stood at USD 3 billion, significantly less than the USD 4 billion trade registered in 2014. Despite o ur 
position as the two largest economies in our regions, Indonesia is only Brazil's fifth trading partner 
in ASEAN.  
4.14.   Nevertheless, the future prospects are encouraging. Our trade is already based on added 
value products both from the manufacturing and the a gribusiness sectors. In spite of the pandemic, 
the trade flow is expected to grow in 2020. Also, MERCOSUR and Indonesia are holding exploratory 
talks that may result in future negotiations for a trade agreement.  
4.15.   Brazil is very interested in understanding the already existing achievements and limitations 
of the integration of the Indonesian economy into regional and global value chains and future 
prospects. We also follow closely the conclusion of the negotiations of the Regional Comprehensive 
Economic Partnership and the impacts that it may have on the multilateral trading system and on 
the regional and global value chains.  
4.16.   Brazil thanks Indonesia for the written replies to our questions, which comprises some issue s 
I touched upon today, such as dispute settlement, regional and global value chains, and the RCEP. 
They were forwarded to our capital for examination and follow -up. 
4.17.   We wish Indonesia a successful Trade Policy Review.  
ARGENTINA  
4.18.   Quisiéramos asociarnos a los  Miembros que han dado la bienvenida a la delegación de 
Indonesia y a su Vice ministro de Comercio, S.E. Jerry Adhitya Ksatria Sambuaga. Hacemos 
extensivo, también, nuestro saludo y reconocimiento a la labor de su Representante Permanente 
ante esta Casa.  
4.19.   Agradecemos los informes preparados por Indonesia y la Secretaría, los cuales nos han 
permitido profundizar nuestro conocimiento de las políticas comerciales de este Miembro.  
4.20.   La Argentina e Indonesia establecieron relaciones diplomáticas en 1956 y, desde en tonces, 
han venido desarrollando un vínculo sólido y fructífero. En el ámbito comercial, la Argentina exporta 
a Indonesia harina de soja, trigo, maíz y algodón sin cardar ni peinar. De Indonesia importamos 
calzado, máquinas, material eléctrico, caucho y ap aratos mecánicos.  
4.21.   A la Argentina le complace observar que, desde su último Examen de las políticas comerciales, 
Indonesia ha experimentado un considerable crecimiento económico; alcanzando una tasa de 
crecimiento anual de alrededor del 5% entre 2013 y 2019 . Igualmente encomiable es la reducción 
del desempleo, que para 2019 se situó en torno al 5%.  
4.22.   Son dignos de mención, asimismo, los esfuerzos de Indonesia para liberalizar y simplificar su 
régimen de Inversión Extranjera Directa (IED). Cabe resaltar, en est e sentido, la eliminación de 
restricciones a la participación en sectores clave como la energía, la salud, el comercio y el turismo. 
Si bien existen todavía varios sectores de la economía indonesia que permanecen cerrados a la IED, 
consideramos que estos e sfuerzos van en la dirección correcta.  
4.23.   Observamos que hay un área de la política comercial de Indonesia que ha experimentado 
grandes avances: la facilitación del comercio. Además de ratificar el Acuerdo sobre la Facilitación del 
Comercio (AFC) en 2017, Ind onesia ha adoptado varias medidas para aceitar los flujos comerciales. 
Quisiéramos resaltar dos de ellas: la puesta en marcha del Programa de Operadores Económicos 
Autorizados y la integración de Sistema Único de Gestión de Riesgos en la plataforma de la V entanilla 
Única.  
4.24.   A pesar de estos logros, creemos que todavía existe algún margen de maniobra para seguir 
avanzando en otros campos. En materia de aranceles, nos preocupa la existencia de crestas para WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 15 - 
 
  productos agrícolas. Si bien no directamente vinculados con la agricultura, hemos notado que el 
promedio aritmético de los aranceles de Nación Más Favorecida (NMF) aumentó en más de dos 
puntos desde el año 2012 a la fecha.  
4.25.   En el marco de este Examen, presentamos a Indonesia preguntas vin culadas, entre otros 
temas, con su Plan Estratégico Ministerial sobre Igualdad de Género y Empoderamiento de las 
Mujeres y el Movimiento Nacional de las Pequeñas y Medianas Empresas en (PYMES). Ambos temas 
revisten gran interés para mi país. Agradecemos la s respuestas proporcionadas por Indonesia, las 
cuales serán debidamente analizadas por mi capital.  
4.26.   A modo de cierre, no quisiéramos dejar de expresar nuestro reconocimiento por esta nueva 
oportunidad de abordar las prácticas comerciales de Indonesia.  
4.27.   Desea mos a sus autoridades la exitosa conclusión de este Examen.  
CANADA  
4.28.   Canada is pleased to participate in Indonesia 's seventh Trade Policy Review. We would like to 
express our appreciation to Indonesia 's Government and the Secretariat for their high -quality 
reports.  
4.29.   First and foremost, Canada would like to acknowledge Indonesia 's multilateral efforts to 
minimize the negative impacts of the COVID -19 pandemic on global supply chains and to ensure the 
free flow of essential goods. This includes the endorsement of  the Cairns Group June 17 COVID -19 
Initiative aimed at protecting global food security through open trade, and the May 5 Statement on 
COVID -19 by APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade.  
4.30.   The COVID -19 pandemic has underscored the necessity of open and predict able trade, and 
expanding international trade and investment partnerships. Canada is proud to stand with Indonesia 
as a friend and as we work towards an inclusive and sustainable global economic recovery.  
4.31.   I would now like to highlight areas where Indonesia  is making significant progress.  
4.32.   Firstly, Canada welcomes Indonesia 's pursuit of more open and inclusive trade. We welcome 
Indonesia 's acceptance of the Trade Facilitation Agreement, its active participation in the Joint 
Statement Initiatives on investment  facilitation and e -commerce, and its support for the full 
implementation of the Buenos Aires Declaration on Women 's Economic Empowerment. We 
encourage Indonesia to participate actively in the implementation of the 2nd phase of the Buenos 
Aires Declaration . 
4.33.   Secondly, Canada commends Indonesia for its ambitious government reform program, which 
aims to transform Indonesia into a developed country by 2025, and into the fifth largest economy 
in the world by 2045, through policies focused mainly on attracting fo reign investment, as well as 
developing critical infrastructure and human capital.  
4.34.   Thirdly, Canada appreciates Indonesia 's efforts to improve the business environment and 
attract foreign investment, including through the recent Omnibus Job Creation Law. In donesia should 
ensure that the implementing regulations are designed to deliver the economic reforms that inspired 
the Omnibus Law, while maintaining important protections for labour and the environment.  
4.35.   Fourthly, we acknowledge Indonesia 's efforts to imp rove transparency and address corruption 
through the implementation of a National Strategy of Corruption Prevention, and by making laws 
and regulations more readily accessible. Although meaningful progress has been made in reducing 
widespread graft, we enc ourage Indonesia to continue to prioritize the elimination of corruption, 
which can act as a significant deterrent to foreign investment and economic growth.  
4.36.   We also applaud Indonesia's active role in negotiating ambitious trade agreements during the 
review period, which has led to successfully concluding Comprehensive Economic Partnership 
Agreements with the European Free Trade Association States, Australia, and Korea, as well as the 
recently signed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.  WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 16 - 
 
  4.37.   Finally, Can ada acknowledges Indonesia 's leadership role in ASEAN and it commitment to 
rules-based trade. Canada would like to thank Indonesia for its work as Canada 's economic country 
coordinator within ASEAN, and in advancing discussions for a possible ASEAN -Canada Free Trade 
Agreement. Canada looks forward to continuing to work with Indonesia to deepen our trade and 
investment ties.   
4.38.   Along with these promising initiatives and progress, there remain areas that would benefit 
from further focus by Indonesia:  
4.39.   Although I ndonesia 's ranking in the World Bank Doing Business Report significantly increased 
over the past years to reach 73rd in 2020, significant challenges remain for companies attempting 
to do business in the country. Further reforms to reduce the cost of doing business and streamline 
the registration process are key to encouraging foreign investment.  
4.40.   Canada acknowledges the significant changes made by Indonesia to its mining legal 
framework, as they aim to reinvigorate the mining sector and attract more investm ent. However, 
efforts to enhance regulatory certainty and reduce investment risk are still necessary. We encourage 
Indonesia to continue pursuing comprehensive measures to attract investment, including by 
reducing the number of business activities reserved  for local entrepreneurs.  
4.41.   On agriculture, we encourage Indonesia to work with trade partners to address concerns 
raised about the implementation of new halal certification and labeling requirements.  
4.42.   Canada welcomes Indonesia 's very good notifications record, but notes shortfalls regarding 
customs valuation, import licensing and quantitative restrictions.  
4.43.   Finally, as Indonesia strives to improve different aspects of its economic and market 
environment, we encourage its participation in the  Joint Statement Initiatives on services domestic 
regulation and MSMEs.  
4.44.   Canada has submitted written questions that reflect some of the concerns raised today. We 
look forward to Indonesia 's responses, and wish Indonesia a productive and useful seventh Trad e 
Policy Review.  
MÉXICO  
4.45.   México da la más cordial bienvenida a la delegación de Indonesia, encabezada por el Excmo. 
Sr. Jerry Sambuaga , Viceministro de Comercio.  
4.46.   Queremos aprovechar también esta oportunidad para reconocer la labor de la Misión de 
Indonesia , encabezada por el Embajador Hasan Kleib. Asimismo, mi delegación agradece a la 
Secretaría de la OMC por la elaboración de su informe.  
4.47.   Entre los Miembros ASEAN, Indonesia es el 6º socio comercial de México,1 y para Indonesia, 
México es el segundo socio comercial más grande en América Latina.  
4.48.   Aun cuando no tenemos un marco bilateral o regional, las relaciones comerciales entre 
Indonesia y México son prometedoras; tan solo entre 2008 y 2018 el intercambio comercial entre 
México e Indonesia creció 70, 5%.2  
  
 
1 https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/indonesia /index.php/es/guiadelexportadormexicano/las -relaciones -
comerciales -bilaterales . 
2 Ídem. En 2018, el comercio bi lateral registró la suma de USD 1.73 miles de millones, d e los cuales 
México exportó USD 148.6 mil lones e importó casi USD 1.5 miles de millones , arrojando así una balanza 
comerc ial negativa para México de USD 1.23 miles de millones. 
https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/indonesia/in dex.php/es/guiadelexportadormexicano/las -relaciones -comerciales -
bilaterales  WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 17 - 
 
  Desarrollo económico de Indonesia  
4.49.   Pese a las dificultades que ha enfrentado la economía global, Indonesia ha continuado con un 
crecimiento económico y una disminución de la pobreza sostenidos durante el periodo de examen, 
como resultado de la debida implementación de reformas macroeconómicas y estructurales.  
Políticas comerciales y nacionales  
4.50.   Indonesia mantiene un régimen arancelario casi en su totalidad en términos ad valorem, y el 
número de líneas sujetas a aranceles específicos disminuyó consid erablemente durante este periodo; 
no obstante, el nivel de protección, las crestas arancelarias y los tipos arancelarios diferentes han 
aumentado. Esperamos que Indonesia continúe trabajando en un régimen arancelario más simple, 
así como con una política d e reducción general de aranceles.   
4.51.   Hemos tomado nota sobre la promulgación de proyectos legislativos ambiciosos, entre ellos, 
la Ley General de Creación de Empleo y La Ley General Tributaria3, las cuales, de conformidad con 
recientes publicaciones en medi os internacionales, se han fusionado en un sólo instrumento mejor 
conocido como Ley Omnibus, mismo que está generando serias preocupaciones dentro y fuera de 
Indonesia, tanto a nivel de la protección de los derechos de los trabajadores, como cuestiones 
ambientales, entre otras. Esperamos con mucha atención más detalles sobre esta ley y en especial 
sobre el impacto de la misma en materia de telecomunicaciones, inversión y facilidad para hacer 
negocios.4  
4.52.   En materia de telecomunicaciones, notamos que el Gobierno de Indonesia ha publicado 
diversas políticas y reglamentos para mejorar el desarrollo y la accesibilidad de la infraestructura, 
la penetración de la banda ancha móvil, la asequibilidad de los precio s de los servicios de banda 
ancha y la distribución equitativa de la infraestructura, los ecosistemas y los servicios de 
telecomunicaciones. Estos son avances importantes en esta materia y esperamos noticias sobre el 
impacto que han tenido en la mejora del  acceso y desarrollo de los servicios de telecomunicaciones 
en Indonesia.  
Trabajos OMC  
4.53.   En las labores de la OMC, resaltamos que Indonesia se mantiene a la vanguardia con respecto 
a temas innovadores en el comercio multilateral, su activa participación en las iniciativas conjuntas 
en comercio electrónico, reglamentación nacional de servicios, comercio y género y facilitación de la 
inversión es muestra clara de ello.  
4.54.   Respecto al  sistema de solución de diferencias de la OMC, Indonesia es un Miembro muy 
activo, actualmente es parte de 12 casos como reclamante, 15 casos como demandado y 46 casos 
como tercero. Además, es importante destacar que ha mostrado preocupación y compromiso con la 
situación actual, apoyando la propuesta conjunta patrocinada por 121 Miemb ros de la Organización, 
para iniciar los procesos de vacantes del Órgano de Apelación, la cual busca una solución al impasse  
que no solo afecta al sistema de solución de diferencias sino a la credibilidad misma del sistema 
multilateral del comercio.   
4.55.   Finalmente, queremos felicitar a Indonesia por el reconocimiento que da a sus MiPyMEs y a 
su importancia como motor para el desarrollo económico del país. El Gobierno ha implementado una 
serie de programas, iniciativas y reglamentos encaminados, entre otros, a mejorar la competitividad, 
a incrementar el acceso al financiamiento y a fomentar el crecimiento del comercio electrónico. 
Esperemos que estas medidas se traduzcan en resultados positivos que repercutan en el bienestar 
de su población. Por lo que considera mos que su experiencia sería de mucha utilidad en los trabajos 
de la iniciativa conjunta sobre MSMES.   
  
 
3 Párrafo 2.18 del informe de la Secretaría.  
4 https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/J okowi -signs-controversial -omnibus -bill-into-law; 
https://www.ft.com/content/865cdd80 -f31f-4ba1-9693-1fae6277628a ; 
https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=46707c4c -db1a-4b66-bfc3-8de0c68ff4fb . WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 18 - 
 
  Retos y áreas de oportunidad  
4.56.   Indonesia cuenta con un alto capital humano, con más de 110 millones de personas 
económicamente activas, lo que representa una fuerza de trabajo envidiable. Sin embargo, para 
poder capitalizarla será necesario invertir en mejorar las habilidades de dicha m ano de obra para 
que pueda aprovecharla en sectores más especializados.  
4.57.   Otra área que representa un reto importante para Indonesia es en materia ambiental, pues 
enfrenta problemas de deforestación a gran escala, incendios forestales, sobreexplotación de l os 
recursos marinos, problemas ambientales asociados con la rápida urbanización y el desarrollo 
económico, sólo por mencionar algunos. Confiamos en que Indonesia sabrá desarrollar una 
estrategia que le permita hacer frente a estos retos que inciden en el b ienestar de sus ciudadanos y 
en el resto del mundo.  
4.58.   Otros retos no menos relevantes en los que Indonesia debe continuar trabajando son en 
materia de infraestructura, un entorno regulatorio complejo, sus restricciones comerciales, la 
elevada participación del Estado en las actividades económicas del país y una distribución desigual 
de los recursos entre sus regiones.  
Conclusión  
4.59.   Para concluir señor Presidente, consideramos que Indonesia tiene el potencial de mantener 
su crecimiento económico, así como contin uar con un papel relevante en el comercio internacional, 
y confiamos en que Indonesia sabrá hacer frente a sus retos.  
4.60.   Agradecemos a Indonesia las respuestas proporcionadas a las preguntas formuladas por mi 
delegación y le deseamos el mejor de los éxitos e n el presente Examen.  
REPUBLIC  OF KOREA   
4.61.   I would like to extend a warm welcome to the delegates who are in Geneva, as well as in 
Jakarta for the 7th Trade Policy Review of Indonesia. I would like to especially thank Vice Minister 
Jerry Adhitya Ksatria Sambuaga for his comprehensive presentation.  
4.62.   My special appreciation also goes to Ambassador Angel Villalobos Rodriguez (Mexico) for his 
contribution as a discussant, and I would like to thank Ambassador Grata Endah Werdaningtyas, and 
Ambassador S yamsul Bahri Siregar, Permanent Representative of Indonesia to the WTO, and his 
team for their hard work.  
4.63.   Korea is pleased to note that the Indonesian economy grew at an annual average rate of 
5.1% between 2013 and 2019.  
4.64.   Korea also takes note that Indone sia has made efforts to undertake the update of its 
trade -related and investment policies and regulatory reform, in particular the Economic Policy 
Packages (EPP) between 2015 and 2018.  
4.65.   However, the Indonesian economy may show a downward trend between 2020 and 2024. 
The country 's economic difficulties could be exacerbated by a number of prevailing uncertainties, 
including the price fall of Indonesia export commodities and the trade war, as well as the adverse 
impact of the COVID -19 pandemic.  
4.66.   To mitigate the se challenges, the Indonesian government needs to continue to implement 
productivity -enhancing structural reforms to enhance total factor productivity, and also address 
issues relating to regulatory uncertainty, the investment climate, and so on.  
4.67.   In terms  of international fora, it is welcomed that Indonesia has made an improvement in 
commitments by ratifying the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) in 2017 through the multilateral 
trading system, and has strengthened regional economic integration ties throug h several ASEAN 
agreements.  WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 19 - 
 
  4.68.   The bilateral economic relationship between Korea and Indonesia has been further 
strengthened with the conclusion of last year 's Korea -Indonesia CEPA (which was finalized in 
November 2019 and expected to be signed in December th is year).  
4.69.   In particular, Korea would like to recognize that the two countries ' scope of mutual 
cooperation has been reinforced not only in   opening the goods and services market but also in 
various areas such as industry, energy, culture, and public health . 
4.70.   Taking this opportunity, I would like to reiterate some points to which we look forward to 
receiving Indonesia 's productive and positive responses.  
4.71.   First, in regard to  the implementation of prior import verification requirements, local content 
requireme nts, and the SNI (Indonesia National Standard), attention is required to prevent trade -
restrictive impacts.  
4.72.   We would like to remind that a more prudent approach will be needed for the operation of the 
safeguard system hereafter, since Indonesia is one of t he countries with the most frequent safeguard 
investigations and measures.  
4.73.   Moreover, Korea is aware that foreign insurance and securities firms in Indonesia are facing 
difficulties due to local regulations (such as the approval process and fee, qualificat ion requirements, 
and limitation on the share that can be owned by foreign capital).   
4.74.   In this regard, Korea would like to call for the Indonesian Government 's interest in this matter 
and request that relevant laws and procedures are improved in a more busi ness-friendly way.   
4.75.   Korea would like to once again highlight Indonesia 's efforts to contribute to a more open, 
transparent, and efficient overall trading environment. Let me conclude by expressing my 
appreciation once again to the delegation of Indonesia f or its hard work and wishing the delegation 
a successful TPR.  
AUSTRALIA  
4.76.   Australia congratulates Indonesia on its economic growth since its 2013 Trade Policy Review, 
with Indonesia now the world 's seventh largest economy as measured by purchasing power par ity. 
However, we recognize Indonesia is facing a major challenge from COVID -19, and that it is vital 
Indonesia emerges from this crisis stable and resilient.  
4.77.   Australia and Indonesia share a strong commitment to increasing stability in the Indo -Pacific 
region, and to economic cooperation. We welcome the recent signing of the Regional Comprehensive 
Economic Partnership, which will advance these shared goals.  
4.78.   Australia also welcomed the entry into force of the Indonesia -Australia Comprehensive 
Economic Partn ership Agreement (IA -CEPA) on 5 July 2020. This step signals to the region and the 
world that — even in these challenging times — both Australia and Indonesia are committed to free 
and open trade. Australian and Indonesian officials have been working close ly on implementation of 
IA-CEPA, and businesses in both countries are now benefiting as trade is flowing under the 
Agreement. We will need sustained commitment in both countries over the coming decade to ensure 
the benefits of IA -CEPA are fully realized.  
4.79.   Australia looks forward to the commencement of the IA -CEPA Economic Cooperation Program 
before the end of the year. The program will support technical assistance and capacity building 
across a range of trade related areas to strengthen commercial links and  help stimulate increased 
two-way trade and investment for the mutual benefit of Australia and Indonesia.  
4.80.   Australia 's trade and economic relationship with Indonesia has grown nearly 15 per cent since 
the 2013 policy review, largely driven by growth in serv ice imports to Indonesia. However, COVID 
has negatively impacted our services trade relationship - most notably tourism and education travel 
- and this may take some time to recover.  WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 20 - 
 
  4.81.   In 2019, total two -way trade in goods and services between Australia and Indonesia was 
worth A$17.7 billion, making Indonesia Australia 's 13th largest trading partner. We are pleased that 
key Australian goods exports, such as live animals, wheat, and iron ore, are used as inputs in 
Indonesia 's domestic manufacturing sector; and  that Australia in turn imports manufactured goods 
from Indonesia such as televisions, clothing and footwear, and furniture.  
4.82.   According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, total Australian investment stock in Indonesia 
was worth A$8.16 billion at the end of 2019. Total Indonesian investment in Australia for this period 
was just A$0.88 billion. We understand there are likely considerable investment flows via third 
countries that cannot be separately identified. However, changes to Indonesia 's resour ce ownership 
laws saw a A$5 billion fall in Australian investment when Australia resource companies were forced 
to divest ownership in the Grasberg and other mines in Indonesia. It appears this law is deterring 
further investment in Indonesia by Australian  resource companies.  
4.83.   Australia acknowledges Indonesia has updated its investment policies and has undertaken 
institutional and regulatory reform initiatives. Australia has an interest in expanding its foreign direct 
investment in Indonesia and would welcom e further liberalization to improve the investment 
environment, including in the mining sector. We also look forward to further details on the 
implementation of the Omnibus Law on Job Creation, which came into force on 2 November 2020.  
4.84.   To achieve the full potential of Australia and Indonesia 's trade and investment relationship, 
we will need to overcome certain challenges such as regulatory uncertainties. We encourage 
Indonesia to continue economic and trade policy reform, to pave the way for benefits flowin g from 
productivity gains and increased competitiveness. Australia notes Indonesia 's improved position on 
the Ease of Doing Business ranking and is pleased to continue supporting Indonesia 's reform 
objectives through our development cooperation program.  
4.85.   Australia and Indonesia have continued to engage in good faith to resolve the WTO dispute 
concerning anti -dumping measures applying to exports of A4 copy paper from Indonesia.  
4.86.   Australia remains concerned that Indonesia maintains measures that restrict the im port of a 
range of agricultural products, including regulatory barriers such as delays in issuing import licences. 
This has negative consequences for Indonesian consumers, particularly low -income consumers, with 
less affordable and lower quality food produ cts. COVID -19 has exacerbated this issue with food 
shortages and inflated prices.  
4.87.   To demonstrate Indonesia 's commitment to food security and free and open trade, we urge 
Indonesia to commit to the elimination of trade restrictive regulations and other non -tariff barriers.  
4.88.   Australia notes Indonesia 's updates on the Halal Product Assurance Law and its implementing 
regulation. We look forward to continuing our collaborative work on implementation to ensure Halal 
requirements do not unnecessarily impede expor ts to Indonesia and that the trade in Halal products 
is a growth area for our two countries.  
4.89.   Australia acknowledges Indonesia 's strategic aim to increase Indonesia 's competitiveness on 
Intellectual Property protection; and urges Indonesia to continue to i mprove IP protection and 
enforcement to this end.  
4.90.   Australia welcomes Indonesia 's active engagement in the WTO and its clear support for the 
role of the Organization in promoting trade, trade liberalization, and inclusive economic 
development. In the perio d covered by this review, Indonesia has ratified the Trade Facilitation 
Agreement and is well on its way to fully implement all commitments – including through establishing 
the National Committee on Trade Facilitation.   
4.91.   We welcome Indonesia 's constructive engagement on WTO consideration of the e -commerce 
JSI. We also greatly value Indonesia, as a fellow Cairns Group member, supporting the development 
of a Framework for Negotiations on Domestic Support in agriculture and its active outreach to other 
ASEAN Me mbers.   
4.92.   Australia looks forward to Indonesia 's G20 Presidency in 2022 and we are pleased to reaffirm 
our commitment to provide a secondee to Indonesia to support its Presidency year.  WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 21 - 
 
  PERÚ  
4.93.   La delegación peruana saluda atentamente a todos los presentes, y ex presa su más cordial 
bienvenida a la delegación de Indonesia, en especial a Su Excelencia, el señor Jerry Adhitya Ksatria 
Sambuaga, Viceministro de Comercio, y a Su Excelencia el Embajador Grata Endah Werdaningtyas, 
Representante Permanente Alterno de Indo nesia ante esta Organización.  
4.94.   De igual manera, agradecemos al ponente, Su Excelencia el Embajador Ángel Villalobos, de 
México, por sus agudos comentarios como ponente. Asimismo, apreciamos altamente su dedicación 
a los trabajos de este Órgano, señor Presid ente, así como la labor llevada a cabo por la Secretaría 
para este Examen.   
4.95.   En primer lugar, el Perú quisiera subrayar la solidez y el dinamismo del crecimiento económico 
de Indonesia durante el período bajo examen, que se ha mantenido en torno a 5% anual,  a pesar 
de la inestabilidad económica internacional experimentada en los recientes años. En esta misma 
línea, es apreciable lo señalado en el informe de la Secretaría de la OMC, en el sentido de que el 
crecimiento económico indonesio durante el período ba jo examen ha sido acompañado por reducción 
del desempleo, una inflación controlada, y disminución de la pobreza y de la desigualdad. El Perú ve 
con satisfacción todos estos desarrollos.  
4.96.   En el ámbito comercial, resaltan los pasos dados por Indonesia en materia de facilitación del 
comercio, como lo son la implementación de un Programa de Operadores Económicos Autorizados, 
y su participación en la ventanilla única de la Asociación de Nacione s del Sudeste Asiático (ASEAN). 
En contraste, la Secretaría de la OMC informa respecto a la imposición por parte de Indonesia de 
restricciones, prohibiciones y licencias de importación, las cuales, según el informe de la Secretaría, 
se deben, entre otros f ines, a la protección y el desarrollo de las ramas de producción nacionales. 
Estas medidas podrían afectar el crecimiento del comercio internacional, la competitividad de los 
productos indonesios que requieren de la importación de insumos, y la amplitud de  elección de los 
consumidores locales. En esa misma línea, la mención en el informe de la Secretaría respecto a la 
aplicación por parte de Indonesia de aranceles por encima de sus tipos consolidados en la OMC, 
genera preocupación y merecería comentarios po r parte de la delegación de Indonesia.  
4.97.   En el ámbito de la integración comercial, cabe destacar la participación de Indonesia en la 
recientemente concluida Asociación Económica Integral Regional, o RCEP por sus siglas en inglés. 
Esperamos que este instrume nto promueva mayores flujos comerciales y de inversión en una de las 
regiones con mayor crecimiento y perspectivas de desarrollo económico en el mundo.  
4.98.   En lo que respecta al comercio bilateral, los intercambios entre Perú e Indonesia oscilaron 
durante el período bajo examen alrededor de los 300 millones de dólares estadounidenses, 
habiéndose registrado en 2019 la cifra de 233 millones de dólares estadounidenses. Durante todo 
el período, se presentó un considerable superávit de balanza comercial en favor de  Indonesia. El 
Perú estima que existe potencial para continuar desarrollando nuestras relaciones comerciales, por 
lo que sería de mutuo beneficio que las negociaciones para lograr un Acuerdo Comercial bilateral se 
reinicien a la brevedad posible.  
4.99.   Otro aspe cto importante de nuestro relacionamiento económico -comercial se da en el marco 
del Foro Económico del Asia Pacífico (APEC), en el cual se han llevado a cabo importantes iniciativas 
a lo largo del presente año para facilitar el flujo de bienes en el contex to de la pandemia en curso, 
y para señalar nuestro apoyo a la mejora del funcionamiento de la OMC a través de las actuales 
discusiones sobre la reforma de la Organización.  
4.100.   Con relación a las preguntas del Perú en este Examen, mi delegación agradece de ant emano 
y continúa a la espera de las respuestas de Indonesia, las que nos van a permitir conocer con mayor 
detalle las políticas del Miembro bajo examen que favorecen el empoderamiento económico de la 
mujer, especialmente a través del comercio.  
4.101.   Habiendo señ alado esto, deseo concluir esta intervención deseando a Indonesia un exitoso 
Examen de sus políticas comerciales.  
  WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 22 - 
 
  CHILE  
4.102.   Saludamos a la delegación de Indonesia, encabezada por el Sr. Jerry Adhitya Ksatria 
Sambuaga, Vice ministro de Comercio, y felicitamos a este país por ser parte una vez más de este 
necesario ejercicio de transparencia.  
4.103.   Un cordial saludo, asimismo, a los re presentantes de Indonesia, embajadores Grata Endah 
Werdaningtyas y Syamsul Bahri Siregar, así como al excelente equipo de esa Misión ante la OMC 
con quien tuvimos el gusto de trabajar hace unas semanas en la preparación de la presentación, 
ante el Comité d e Acuerdos Comerciales Regionales, del Acuerdo de Asociación Económica Integral 
(CEPA) entre Chile e Indonesia. Queremos, igualmente, agradecer la presentación efectuada por el 
representante de México, embajador Ángel Villalobos Rodríguez, así como el exce lente trabajo 
realizado por la Secretaría y por el Gobierno de Indonesia en cuanto a la preparación de sus 
respectivos informes.  
4.104.   Chile e Indonesia establecieron relaciones diplomáticas en 1965. Desde ese entonces, se ha 
logrado con este país importantes ac uerdos en el campo de la cooperación económica y técnica, en 
el ámbito pesquero y en el de telecomunicaciones, entre otros.  
4.105.   En el ámbito multilateral, destaca la coincidencia en los más diversos temas de la agenda 
internacional. Chile e Indonesia comparten  puntos de vista en diversos foros internacionales y ambas 
naciones coinciden en combatir la pobreza mediante programas de desarrollo sustentables, 
centrados en las personas y por medio de la liberalización del comercio mundial. Igualmente existe 
coinciden cia en el interés común por el fortalecimiento del sistema multilateral.  
4.106.   Ambos países desempeñan un dinámico rol en la cuenca del Pacífico y promueven conexiones 
para la integración política, económica, cultural y comercial en la región, utilizando especi almente 
el marco que ofrecen APEC y FOCALAE.  
4.107.   Durante el período objeto de examen de Indonesia, nos resulta destacable el fuerte 
crecimiento y resiliencia demostrado por la economía de este país. En este sentido, resaltamos la 
positiva evolución de su comp etitividad mundial apoyada por su estabilidad macroeconómica y la 
elevada tasa de adopción de tecnología, entre otros factores. En cuanto a su respuesta frente a la 
pandemia por el Covid -19, resulta de interés la adopción de 3 paquetes de estímulo fiscal 
temporales, que comprenden medidas relacionadas con el comercio y medidas de política monetaria.  
4.108.   En cuanto a las reformas emprendidas por Indonesia durante este período, vemos con 
atención aquellas relacionadas con el comercio, especialmente las que dicen r elación con estímulos 
para el desarrollo de MIPYMEs. Asimismo, destacamos los esfuerzos desplegados por Indonesia por 
liberalizar y simplificar su régimen de IED en varias esferas, así como la actualización emprendida 
de sus políticas comerciales y de inve rsión, y las reformas adoptadas a nivel institucional y normativo 
en esferas como la transparencia, la lucha contra la corrupción, la promoción de las inversiones y la 
solución de diferencias de índole económica.  
4.109.   Por otra parte, entendemos que existe aún e spacio para avanzar en áreas como su 
relativamente baja capacidad de innovación, calificación de su mano de obra, la moderada exposición 
de su economía al comercio internacional y la armonización de sus disposiciones en el ámbito de los 
acuerdos bilaterale s de inversión.   
4.110.   En lo que se refiere a la Facilitación del Comercio, saludamos su ratificación del respectivo 
Acuerdo y destacamos la serie de medidas adoptadas en este ámbito como la puesta en marcha del 
Programa de Operadores Económicos Autorizados y la  Ventanilla Única Nacional de Indonesia, entre 
otras.  
4.111.   Asimismo, nos ha llamado positivamente la atención que, en el Plan Nacional de Desarrollo 
a Medio Plazo de Indonesia, para alcanzar la expansión económica en 2020 -2024, uno de los 
objetivos sea aumentar  la inversión. Para ello se contempla fomentar la inversión privada (extranjera 
y nacional) mediante la desregulación de los procedimientos de inversión y la sincronización y 
armonización de los reglamentos en materia de licencias. Será importante, por lo tanto, poder 
conocer cómo la nueva legislación de reforma económica -denominada "Omnibus Bill "- se enmarca 
con el objetivo mencionado de aumentar la inversión privada.  WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 23 - 
 
  4.112.   En el ámbito bilateral, la relación económica y comercial entre Chile e Indonesia se ha  visto 
recientemente reforzada con la firma del ya mencionado Acuerdo de Asociación Económica Integral, 
que entró en vigor en 2019. Este acuerdo constituye un avance para la relación bilateral entre Chile 
e Indonesia, permitiendo consolidar la estrategia d e Chile de convertirse en puente para el Asia 
Pacífico y acceder al mayor mercado del sudeste asiático. En el caso de Indonesia, es el primer 
acuerdo de este tipo con un país latinoamericano.  
4.113.   En términos del intercambio comercial bilateral total, éste alca nzó los US$ 319 millones, 
durante el año 2019, de los cuales USD 128 millones corresponden a exportaciones de Chile, 
principalmente de cobre, otros minerales y uvas frescas. En tanto, las importaciones (CIF) 
provenientes de Indonesia alcanzaron los USD 188  millones, concentrándose en calzados, algas 
frescas y automóviles. Cabe señalar que el intercambio comercial bilateral total ha tenido altos y 
bajos desde el año 2014, por lo que esperamos que el Acuerdo de Asociación Económica Integral 
permita retomar el  camino del crecimiento del comercio entre ambos países. En este sentido, cabe 
mencionar que, en cumplimiento de la cláusula evolutiva establecida en dicho acuerdo, Chile tiene 
interés en iniciar negociaciones para la ampliación del Acuerdo incluyendo un c apítulo sobre 
Comercio Transfronterizo de Servicios, de manera de diversificar el comercio bilateral.  
4.114.   En cuanto a la existencia de Barreras Técnicas al Comercio, a partir de la Regulación N°39 
"Horticultural Product Import Recommendation ", Chile, junto a v arios países, hemos manifestado a 
la autoridad indonesia nuestra preocupación por la negativa a autorizar las licencias de importación 
a países que ya contaban con el reconocimiento de inocuidad. En este sentido, si bien el Ministerio 
de Agricultura de Ind onesia otorgó recomendaciones para la importación de productos hortícolas 
chilenos a 22 empresas de ese país, el Gobierno de Chile mantiene su interés por contar con 
mecanismos que garanticen la entrega expedita de las recomendaciones y licencias de import ación 
exigidas para los siguientes productos: uvas de mesa, kiwis, cerezas, peras, arándanos, cítricos, 
paltas, salmón, avena, vinos, jugos/concentrados, nueces, quinua, pasas, arándanos congelados y 
productos del mar.  
4.115.   Asimismo, en el ámbito de la apertura sanitaria, Chile ha manifestado a su contraparte 
indonesia su deseo por completar el proceso de evaluación fitosanitaria de productos como las 
nueces con y sin cáscara, carne porcina y lácteos. Por otra parte, en lo relativo a la certificación 
Halal, el Gobierno de Chile desea poder esclarecer las etapas del proceso de cooperación que permita 
asegurar la garantía de los productos halal, compartiendo la información sobre las etapas sucesivas 
a la firma del Memorándum de Entendimiento necesario.  
4.116.   Para este Examen, Chile formuló 20 preguntas que abarcaron una serie de temas – como 
aranceles y salvaguardias; medidas sanitarias y fitosanitarias; pesca; servicios financieros; servicios 
bancarios; y transporte marítimo, entro otros, que son del interés de n uestro país y que buscan 
mejorar la relación comercial bilateral. Junto con agradecer las respuestas entregadas, le deseamos 
a Indonesia una exitosa revisión de su séptimo Examen de política comercial.   
UNITED  STATES  
4.117.   The United States is pleased to welcome  Vice Minister of Trade Jerry Sambuaga and the 
other members of the delegation to the Trade Policy Review of Indonesia. We welcome the 
Secretariat and Government reports and appreciate the opportunity to gain a clearer sense of the 
changes to Indonesia 's trade and investment policies since its last review in 2013.  
4.118.   Indonesia is an important economic partner of the United States, and we are committed to 
further expanding trade in agriculture and non -agricultural goods, investment, and services through 
our Tr ade and Investment Framework Agreement.  
4.119.   The United States commends Indonesia for maintaining solid economic growth since its last 
TPR, and we applaud recent institutional and regulatory reform efforts by the Government. While 
Indonesia has made some improv ements to its economic policy, we agree with the Secretariat that 
there is significant scope for broader efforts to simplify complex government regulations, ease 
investment restrictions, increase transparency in policymaking, and reduce the effects of SOEs , all 
of which prevent Indonesia from benefiting more fully from global trade.  WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 24 - 
 
  4.120.   Seven years ago, during Indonesia 's last TPR, the United States highlighted the troubling 
trends of rising protectionism and increasing barriers to trade and investment in Indon esia. We are 
encouraged that since then, the Government of Indonesia has undertaken significant and meaningful 
efforts to improve its business and investment climate and to address some of our concerns. In 
particular, we commend Indonesia for its efforts t o reform its import licensing regimes through the 
recent passage of the Job Creation Omnibus Law; its efforts to liberalize cross -border data flows and 
remove restrictions on the cross -border supply of reinsurance services; and its easing of foreign 
equity  restrictions through the issuance of a revised negative investment list. These efforts have 
contributed to Indonesia 's strong economic growth over the years, as Indonesia has benefited 
greatly from its participation in the world economy.  
4.121.   We encourage the Government of Indonesia to continue with its reform efforts and adopt 
policies that further embrace trade and economic liberalization. Towards that goal, we are hopeful 
that Indonesia will reassess its continued use of local content requirements. As the Se cretariat report 
notes, there is long -standing and predominately negative evidence of the impact of local content 
requirements on economic development and trade. We also hope Indonesia will reconsider its pursuit 
of agricultural self -sufficiency and associ ated import -restricting policies. As the United States has 
noted elsewhere, such policies can have unintended and negative impacts on food security, nutrition, 
and economic opportunity, particularly for a country 's most vulnerable populations.  In addition,  we 
encourage Indonesia to reform trade -impeding policies that run counter to Indonesia 's broader 
reform efforts, such as trading rights limitations, pre -shipment inspection requirements, and export 
restrictions, including taxes and prohibitions.  
4.122.   The Unite d States urges the Government of Indonesia to adopt measures that ensure greater 
transparency in its policymaking process. We respectfully note that trade policy measures in 
Indonesia are routinely issued in final form without an opportunity for meaningful  stakeholder 
consultation. Such opaque policymaking increases the cost of doing business, injects uncertainty 
into the trade and investment climate, and undermines the positive progress Indonesia has achieved 
in other areas. Looking ahead, as Indonesia for mulates measures to implement significant pieces of 
legislation passed, including its Halal Law and Job Creation Omnibus Law, greater transparency will 
be important.  
4.123.   Lastly, we note that Indonesia is a significant and influential player in global trade and  is 
well-integrated into the trading system. It is a member of the G20 and accounts for just under one 
percent of global merchandise trade. It is a major agricultural producer and exporter. In part for 
these reasons, we call on Indonesia to no longer seek special and differential treatment in current 
and future WTO negotiations. By taking this step, Indonesia would make a significant contribution 
to ensuring that the WTO remains a viable forum for meaningful trade negotiations.  
4.124.   We thank Vice Minister Sambu aga and the rest of the delegation for their attention to our 
questions and concerns. As the largest economy in Southeast Asia and a valued trading partner, the 
United States stands ready to work in closer cooperation with Indonesia here at the WTO, bilate rally, 
and in ASEAN and APEC.  
UNITED  KINGDOM  
4.125.   On behalf of the UK, I am pleased to add my welcome to the delegation of Indonesia, led by 
the Honourable Jerry Adhitya Ksatria Sambuaga, Vice Minister of Trade. I would also like to express 
our appreciation to the Indonesian Government and the WTO Secretariat for their insightful reports, 
and to you Chair and H.E. Ambassador Villalobos Rodríguez, the discussant, for your efforts to 
facilitate today 's Trade Policy Review.  
4.126.   The United Kingdom would like to reitera te the importance of the Trade Policy Review as a 
transparency mechanism in monitoring Members ' trade policies, and express our appreciation for 
Indonesia 's responses to our written questions.  
4.127.   Since its last Trade Policy Review in 2013, Indonesia has take n notable steps to increase its 
engagement in multilateral and regional trade, most recently through participation in and facilitation 
of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. Indonesia has also been active in enabling 
investment, with the World  Bank describing the new Job Creation Law as one of the most important 
pieces of investment reform in decades. Once implemented, we understand that this has the WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 25 - 
 
  potential to greatly improve the ease of doing business in Indonesia. The UK welcomes the new 
legislation and looks forward to the early issue of the implementing regulations.  
4.128.   Indonesia has made a strong effort to further integrate itself into the multilateral trading 
system. The United Kingdom commends Indonesia for having ratified the Trade Facilitation 
Agreement in December 2017 and implemented 88.7% of its commitments to date. We support 
Indonesia 's efforts to implement its remaining TFA commitments by February 2022. The 
establishment of the National Committee on Technical Trade Barriers ha s allowed Indonesia to 
implement the WTO TBT Agreement effectively, submitting 79 notifications to the TBT Committee in 
the review period, and to address TBT issues. The UK recognizes Indonesia 's commitment to 
transparency through the submission of WTO not ifications.  
4.129.   We are pleased that Indonesia is an Observer to the WTO Government Procurement 
Agreement. The UK strongly supports this Agreement, which ensures competition as well as value 
for money on public procurement. We look forward to Indonesia taking the next steps to progress 
their accession process. We welcome Indonesia 's objectives of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 
and encouraging more sustainable energy. Reduced barriers to imported components and foreign 
investment could speed up Indonesia 's energy transition and contribute to meeting its environmental 
goals.  
4.130.   The UK sees Indonesia as an important G20 partner. We welcome the agreement reached 
by G20 Trade Ministers on 22 September 2020 and look forward to working closely with Indone sia 
during Italy 's Presidency of the G20 in 2021 and during Indonesia 's G20 Presidency in 2022.  
4.131.   Last year the United Kingdom and Indonesia celebrated 70 years of diplomatic relations, and 
we continue to bolster our bilateral ties. Our total bilateral trad e was worth £2.9bn in 2019, and we 
are working to develop stronger economic ties as we emerge from the COVID -19 crisis. The United 
Kingdom is currently conducting a bilateral Joint Trade Review with the Indonesian Government 
which is due to be concluded in  January 2021. Through this, both sides are identifying opportunities 
to enhance bilateral trade relations and set the groundwork for future cooperation. In doing so we 
work to strengthen the rules -based international system, fight protectionism, and reduc e trade 
barriers.  
4.132.   In closing, allow me to thank our Indonesian colleagues for their valued cooperation and 
extend our wishes for a successful Trade Policy Review.  
COLOMBIA  
4.133.   Saludamos atentamente a la delegación de Indonesia, encabezada por Su Excelencia Jer ry 
Ksatria Sambuaga, Viceministro de Comercio Exterior, y también damos una cordial bienvenida a su 
Excelencia Grata Endah Werdaningtyas, Embajador de Indonesia ante la OMC. Sea esta también la 
oportunidad para resaltar la excelente relación de trabajo y c ooperación entre nuestras dos Misiones.  
4.134.   Agradecemos el completo análisis y comentarios presentados por el Embajador Ángel 
Villalobos de México como ponente, así como el trabajo de la Secretaría y las autoridades de 
Indonesia en la elaboración de los inform es, que encontramos bastante detallados.  
4.135.   Indonesia tiene una economía dinámica, que se ha caracterizado por registrar altas tasas de 
crecimiento en los últimos años, incluso en medio de condiciones internacionales complejas, lo que 
da cuenta de su prudent e manejo macroeconómico y las acertadas políticas monetaria y fiscal. El 
positivo desempeño de los indicadores económicos se explica en gran medida por la importancia y 
dinamismo de la demanda interna, siendo este el cuarto país más poblado del mundo y con  una 
edad promedio bastante joven.   
4.136.   Sin bien tiene una importante red de acuerdos comerciales, estrechos lazos con varios países 
de Asia y una apertura significativa a la Inversión Extranjera, Indonesia registra una participación 
moderada en el comercio mu ndial lo que se evidencia en el hecho de que la participación del 
comercio de bienes y servicios en el total del PIB bajó del 48% en 2013, al 37% en 2019.  
4.137.   Reconocemos el compromiso de Indonesia con el sistema multilateral de comercio y con sus 
principios fundacionales, su activa participación en las negociaciones en curso y en el funcionamiento WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 26 - 
 
  de los Órganos Ordinarios. A nivel bilateral, nuestros lazos comerciales se han venido fortaleciendo 
progresivamente, después de más de 40 años del establecimiento de relaciones diplomáticas. 
Destacamos que se registra un incremento de las exportaciones colombianas de 15% en el último 
año y que se trata casi en su totalidad, de productos manufacturados y agroindustriales. Tenemos 
aún una amplia variedad de oportunida des de profundizar estos intercambios.  
4.138.   Sobre la política arancelaria, identificamos que Indonesia tiene aranceles aplicados en 
promedio de 10%, una tasa más elevada que la registrada en el periodo de examen anterior. Llama 
la atención el aumento de los ar anceles aplicados a productos como el café, los productos de 
confitería, cosméticos, productos químicos y las prendas de vestir y el calzado, en varios casos por 
considerar que son productos que compiten con la fabricación nacional. Si bien la estructura 
arancelaria es sencilla y registra pocos cambios, si presenta diversas crestas o picos en sectores 
específicos, como es el caso de la agricultura y preparaciones alimenticias.  
4.139.   Identificamos adicionalmente que en el periodo de examen se mantuvieron o se 
incrementaron las prohibiciones, restricciones y licencias de importación. En el caso de las licencias, 
las categorías de productos sujetos a este tipo de trámites, ya fuera automáticos o no automáticos, 
aumentaron de 30 a 40, y como consecuencia, actualmente  más del 30% de las líneas arancelarias 
están sujetas a licencias de importación. A esto se suman varias prescripciones nacionales en 
materia de contenido nacional en industrias específicas.  
4.140.   En el comercio de productos agrícolas y alimenticios, encontramo s ilustrativa la información 
del informe de la Secretaría sobre las prescripciones halal, en la medida que da luces sobre el 
funcionamiento, cobertura y otorgamiento de la certificación Halal que deben presentar los 
productos. Encontramos que se han introd ucido múltiples cambios a la Ley de Garantías y al 
reglamento de aplicación, que tienen incidencia sobre la forma de obtener las certificaciones, los 
procedimientos internos de registro, y la información a presentar en el etiquetado y envase de los 
product os, antes de poderlos distribuir en el mercado local. Agradeceríamos a las autoridades de 
Indonesia una mayor ilustración sobre el funcionamiento integral de estas reglamentaciones.  
4.141.   En este Examen de las políticas comerciales, también llama la atención el  rol preponderante 
que continúan teniendo las empresas estatales en algunos sectores, y particularmente el rol de 
Perum Bulog en la importación de alimentos, la estabilización de precios de alimentos básicos y la 
gestión de las reservas públicas de arroz. Con un registro de 112 empresas estatales, con 
341 filiales, además del número también elevado de empresas estatales regionales, no se puede 
dejar de expresar inquietud por su influencia en todos los sectores de la economía y los efectos que 
estas operacio nes pueden tener en lo referente a las subvenciones, la competencia, la no 
discriminación, la innovación y el desplazamiento de la iniciativa privada.   
4.142.   En el área de procedimientos aduaneros y de comercio exterior, felicitamos los avances y 
acciones concre tas adoptadas durante el periodo de examen, los cuales desarrollan los compromisos 
del Acuerdo de Facilitación del Comercio. Resaltamos la puesta en marcha del programa de 
Operadores Económicos Autorizados y la participación en la Ventanilla Única de ASEAN , sobre la que 
Colombia ha manifestado su interés en conocer más detalles sobre su funcionamiento y el 
mecanismo de interoperabilidad. También reconocemos los esfuerzos para mejorar la gestión de los 
riesgos, y para combatir la subfacturación, el comercio lícito y el contrabando, problemáticas que 
nos afectan a todos los Miembros de la Organización.  
4.143.   De otro lado, destacamos la relevancia de la IED en la economía y en el desempeño 
exportador de Indonesia, así como los recientes esfuerzos por abrir y simplifi car el régimen 
normativo. Se registran cambios positivos como la modificación de la lista negativa de inversiones 
y la simplificación de ciertos procedimientos. A pesar de los cambios y de la suscripción de Acuerdos 
Bilaterales de Inversión, aún hay activi dades explícitamente cerradas a la Inversión extranjera y 
otras para las que se han aumentado los requisitos de valor mínimo del proyecto.  
4.144.   Los documentos de la Secretaría y del Gobierno dan cuenta de la importancia que tienen los 
Acuerdos comerciales regio nales y bilaterales. Indonesia tiene 11 Acuerdos regionales vigentes. 
Felicitamos a Indonesia y a todos los Miembros, por la suscripción del acuerdo RCEP (Regional 
Comprehensive Economic Partnership) el pasado 15 de noviembre. Sin duda una iniciativa para 
fortalecer y dinamizar el comercio exterior indonesio.  WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 27 - 
 
  4.145.   Por otra parte, valoramos positivamente que en el informe de Gobierno se haya compartido 
información sobre las características de las micro, pequeñas y medianas empresas, su participación 
en la econom ía y el mercado laboral, así como los esfuerzos para favorecer su participación en el 
comercio internacional. Encontramos de especial interés la información sobre el destacado rol que 
el comercio electrónico ha tenido en el crecimiento y competitividad de estas empresas. Igualmente 
felicitamos que la economía digital indonesia sea reconocida hoy como la de más rápido crecimiento 
de Asia Sudoriental.  
4.146.   Como economías emergentes, Colombia e Indonesia hemos construido vínculos estrechos 
para explorar y potencia r las oportunidades en los mercados del sudeste asiático, aprovechando la 
experiencia de Indonesia en la creación y posicionamiento de empresas unicornio. También estamos 
trabajando en asuntos relacionados con la economía creativa y los cambios en la forma  de hacer 
negocios y de crear empresas.  
4.147.   Colombia presentó preguntas sobre aspectos de interés, algunos de los que hemos abordado 
en este espacio, como los aranceles, cargas y restricciones a las importaciones y a las exportaciones, 
la política de inversió n extranjera, el comercio de servicios, y las políticas para el sector de 
agricultura. Esperamos las respuestas para analizarlas en detalle con nuestras autoridades.  
4.148.   Finalizo deseándole a Indonesia y a su delegación un exitoso cierre del proceso de examen  
de sus políticas comerciales. Extendemos un cordial saludo, y reitero al Embajador Werdaningtyas 
todo nuestro apoyo.  
THE SEPARATE  CUSTOMS  TERRITORY  OF TAIWAN,  PENGHU,  KINMEN  AND  MATSU  
4.149.   On behalf of the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen a nd Matsu, I would 
first like to extend a warm welcome to the Indonesia delegation led by His Excellency Vice Minister 
Jerry Adhitya Ksatria Sambuaga. We are confident that Indonesia will have a successful TPR.  
4.150.   I also like to thank the Secretariat on its c omprehensive report and His Excellency 
Ambassador Ángel Villalobos Rodríguez of Mexico for his helpful observations and comments.  
4.151.   As noted in both reports of Indonesia and the Secretariat, Indonesia 's average annual GDP 
growth for the years 2013 to 2019, up to COVID -19 pandemic, was 5.1%. While this was a minor 
slowdown compared to its previous performance, we still like to congratulate Indonesia on this 
achievement, and also on its performance in other aspects of the economy, such as its very low 
inflatio n and unemployment rates in 2019. We are also pleased to note that over the review period, 
Indonesia has undertaken structural reforms in various areas to raise its productivity and 
competitiveness, improved its investment climate, accelerated infrastructu re development and 
promote economic diversification. We commend Indonesia on its reform, and would encourage it to 
broaden and deepen these efforts, especially in trade and investment -related areas.  
4.152.   One particular aspect that came to our attention was the fact that the ratio of Indonesia 's 
trade in goods and services to its GDP dropped from 48.6% in 2013 to 37.3% in 2019. This means 
a lower exposure of the Indonesian economy to international trade. We sincerely hope that it does 
not represent a lower degree  of openness on the part of Indonesia, nor a retreat from its efforts on 
further integration into the global value -chains.  
4.153.   We also hope that this lower exposure was not the reason for the 13.68% decrease in our 
bilateral trade in 2019. It would be useful if the actual reason of such decrease is analyzed and 
provided.  
4.154.   Having said the above, Indonesia remains our 16th largest trading partner in 2019 and 
continues to be one of our most important suppliers of raw materials and preliminary inputs. We are 
hopeful that Indonesia 's various initiatives to minimize the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic and 
the gradual improvement in the international trade environment will help rebuild our bilateral trade 
back toward an even healthier and growing trend.  
4.155.   While  our two -way trade with Indonesia has somewhat declined over the last two years, our 
investment in Indonesia has gained a new momentum in 2020, increased 47% in terms of value 
over the first 9 months as compared to the same period in 2019. Hopefully, the c ontinuous reform WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 28 - 
 
  and openness by Indonesia will create a friendlier environment and more opportunities for our 
potential investors.  
4.156.   Here I would like to highlight a few areas in which we would encourage Indonesia to make 
more progress in its reform:  
4.157.   Firstly, transparency is a fundamental WTO principle for designing and implementing trade 
and investment -related policies and measures. We know Indonesia attaches importance to making 
laws more transparent and accessible. However, most of its laws and regulation s are still published 
in the Bahasa Indonesia language only. This unfortunately makes them less accessible and more 
difficult to understand by foreign businesses and investors. We would encourage Indonesia to make 
them available in at least one WTO officia l language, preferably in English.  
4.158.   We would also encourage Indonesia to increase predictability with regard to the application 
procedure and requirements of products that are subject to marketing approval or certification, such 
as food, medicines, cosmeti cs, medical devices, and Halal products, among others. Our exporters 
and distributors also expect explanations and reasons for their application being turned down.  
4.159.   Secondly, Indonesia applies import licensing and requirements on various products on the 
grounds of public health and safety, national security, public morals and culture, among others. The 
list of these products represents 30.6% of all tariff lines and covers a very wide range of products, 
including cement, lubricants, plastics, ethylene, textil es and textile products, food and beverage, 
iron and steel, hand tools, cell phones, hand -held computers, tablets, tyres, and others. Some are 
not provided with rationale and application procedures. While we respect its authority to apply an 
import licensi ng system, we urge Indonesia to provide rationale for these requirements and strongly 
encourage it to take a careful review of the current list of requirements leading toward liberalization. 
We also expect Indonesia to provide us with the procedures and ru les that apply to the allocation of 
tariff-exemption quota for steel products.   
4.160.   Thirdly, according to the Secretariat 's Report, Indonesia 's simple average applied MFN tariff 
rate increased from 7.8% in 2012 to 10.1% in 2020, leaving fewer tariff lines subj ect to rates of 
10% or below. A persistently high level of unpredictability still exists as a result of the tariff -level 
increase. Some applied MFN rates even appeared to be higher than their corresponding bound rates, 
such as automatic data -processing mac hines, their units or parts, and parts of electronic ICs, to 
name just a few. We would encourage Indonesia to commit to bind more of its tariff lines and to 
maintain all of its applied MFN rates at lower than its bound rates.  
4.161.   Fourthly, we are also concern ed about its export restrictions and licensing requirements. At 
present, mineral products including coal, copper, iron ore, nickel, tin and the metal scraps thereof 
are still subject to export prohibition, restriction or domestic processing requirements. S ome of 
them, such as copper ores, iron ore and zinc, are even subject to export taxes. These products are 
important inputs for our metal and steel -making industries. The restrictive measures and taxes 
applied to export of these materials or products create  an unnecessary burden on our businesses. 
We urge Indonesia to lift these measures, and remove the export taxes.  
4.162.   Lastly, Indonesia 's import authorization for certain products remains subject to 
distributorship arrangements and local content requirements (L CRs). If we take cell -phones, tablets 
and laptops as examples, the importers must have distributorship arrangements with at least three 
local distributors in order to get import authorization, and they are required to produce the products 
locally after thr ee years. Since 2017, Indonesia has insisted that all imported cell phones must 
comply with local content requirements, and for 4G LTE smart phones in particular, the requirement 
for local content was set at 30%. These constitute unreasonable obstacles to our exports. We urge 
Indonesia to provide WTO legal basis for such requirement, and to consider relaxing or removing 
such requirements.  
4.163.   We would greatly appreciate receiving further detailed responses to the specific questions 
raised during this week 's TPR . We also look forward to the circulation of Indonesia 's written answers 
to all our questions as soon as possible.  
4.164.   We again wish Indonesia a constructive and successful TPR, and look forward to having 
closer and more mutually beneficial economic ties with  Indonesia in the future.  WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 29 - 
 
  MALAYSIA  ON BEHALF  OF ASEAN  
4.165.   I deliver this statement on behalf of ASEAN, who warmly welcomes the delegation from 
Indonesia, led by Vice Minister for Trade, Mr. Jerry Sambuaga.  
4.166.   We would also like to thank the Secretariat for its c omprehensive report, and the discussant, 
H.E Ambassador Ángel Villalobos Rodríguez of Mexico for leading today 's discussions.  
4.167.   Indonesia is one of the five members that founded ASEAN in 1967, and as the largest 
economy in ASEAN, plays a key role in regional  economic integration and cooperation. In 2019, 
Indonesia 's exports to ASEAN Member States represented 24.72% of its total exports, whilst imports 
from ASEAN to Indonesia in the same year made up 23.1% of its total imports. Indonesia also hosts 
the ASEAN S ecretariat in its capital, Jakarta.  
4.168.   In 2015, we established the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), with a collective market of 
USD 2.6 trillion and over 622 million people. We are well underway to improving this with the AEC 
Blueprint 2025 to become more hig hly integrated and cohesive; more competitive, innovative and 
dynamic; to enhance connectivity and sectoral cooperation; and to become a more resilient, 
inclusive, people -oriented and people -centered community that is integrated within the global 
economy.  
4.169.   Indonesia is a major player in this initiative, and has been following agreed schedules for 
reducing tariffs on goods and liberalizing services sectors. Further, between 2015 -2018 it issued 16 
national economic policy packages to encourage industry and com petitiveness through deregulation 
and harmonization of rules. Recently, Indonesia enacted an "Omnibus law " on job creation, aimed 
at improving the ease of doing business and strengthening their investment climate. This immense 
undertaking required the amendment of more than 75 laws and for the central government to issue 
more than 30 regulations within 3 month s, which we must commend Indonesia for.  
4.170.   Indonesia has played a key leadership role in ASEAN towards the conclusion and signing of 
the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) on 15 November 2020. RCEP, 
ASEAN 's FTA with Australia, China , Japan, the Republic of Korea, and New Zealand, is our biggest 
to date, covering a market of 2.2 billion people, and a combined GDP of USD 26.2 trillion – 30% of 
the world 's GDP. It is expected to contribute significantly towards a swift and robust recove ry of the 
region, particularly in the wake of the COVID -19 pandemic.  
4.171.   Indonesia 's commitment to the multilateral trading system is not limited to its efforts 
domestically and within ASEAN, but can also be seen in its active engagement in other internationa l 
fora. 
4.172.   In the WTO Indonesia has, among other things, ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement in 
2017; submitted timely notifications in several areas, including agriculture, subsidies and 
countervailing measures, and sanitary and phytosanitary measures;  and has been active in 
negotiations such as agriculture, non -agriculture market access, trade and environment, trade 
facilitation, fisheries, and the Joint Statement Initiatives on e -commerce and investment facilitation 
for development.  
4.173.   In December 2013,  Indonesia hosted the Ninth Ministerial Conference where agreement was 
reached on issues to streamline trade, allow developing countries more options for food security and 
boost least developed countries ' trade. In particular, the Bali Ministerial Conferen ce was a watershed 
moment as negotiations were concluded on the landmark Trade Facilitation Agreement.  
4.174.   Indonesia is also an active member of various other groupings, such as the G20, and will 
become part of the G20 troika next year in preparation for its a ssumption of the presidency of the 
Grouping in 2022.  
4.175.   As a result of all these efforts, Indonesia has displayed steady GDP growth and resilience 
during the period under review, at approximately 5.1% from 2013 -2019. Although growth for 2020 
was revised down wards, Indonesia 's GDP has been projected to rebound in 2021, gaining strength 
in the medium term. Indonesia is also forecasted to become an advanced high -income country by 
2045. ASEAN has full confidence in Indonesia 's ability to achieve this.  WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 30 - 
 
  4.176.   Some ASEAN  Member States have submitted questions, and we would like to express our 
appreciation in advance for Indonesia 's written responses.  
4.177.   Thank you once again to H.E. Pak Hassan Kleib, H.E. Miss Grata Werdaningtyas, H.E. Pak 
Syamsul Siregar and their team, as well as Vice Minister Jerry Sambuaga, Pak Iman, and the 
Indonesian delegation for their active engagement. We wish you all the best for a successful 
conclusion of your seventh Trade Policy Review. We also wish to say farewell to Pak Hassan, who 
will end hi s tenure tomorrow on 10 December, and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.  
MALAYSIA  
4.178.   Malaysia is pleased to take part in the seventh Trade Policy Review of Indonesia. We warmly 
welcome the delegation of Indonesia led by Mr. Jerry Adhitya Ksatria Sambuaga, Vice Minister of 
Trade. We also extend our appreciation to you Chair and the discussant, Ambassador Ángel Villalobos 
Rodríguez of Mexico, for the insightful view of Indonesia 's trade and economic policy during the 
review period.  
4.179.   Malaysia and Indonesia enjoy a longstanding bilateral relationship of deep economic links. 
In 2019, Malaysia 's total trade with Indonesia stood at USD 16.85 billion.  
4.180.   Malaysia 's exports to Indonesia amounted to USD 7.56 billion, with major exports being 
chemicals and ch emical products (34.9%) followed by petroleum products (10.5%); machinery, 
equipment and parts (7.7%); electrical and electronic products (7.2%); and iron and steel products 
(4.5%).  
4.181.   Meanwhile, Malaysia 's imports were recorded at USD 9.39 billion, for palm oil and palm 
oil-based agriculture products (25.1%); petroleum products (11.1%); iron and steel products 
(10.3%); paper and pulp products (9.1%); and manufactures of metal (6.7%).  
4.182.   Nevertheless, due to the pandemic, Malaysia 's trade with Indonesia decreased  by 7.0% to 
USD 10.22 billion for the period of January to August 2020. Malaysia 's exports to Indonesia were 
USD 4.90 billion while Malaysia 's imports were USD  5.32 billion. Indonesia is Malaysia 's 8th largest 
trading partner.  
4.183.   At the investment front, Malaysia is among the top five foreign investors in Indonesia in the 
first quarter of 2020 with investment value of USD  0.5 billion.  
4.184.   At the multilateral front, we hope that Indonesia will continue to  work responsively with WTO 
Members to further foster trade and growth.  
4.185.   We acknowledge the progress made by Indonesia in trade liberalization with the conclusion 
of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) and Free Trade Agreements 
(FTAs) with Australia, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and Mozambique.  
4.186.   Because of our shared cultural heritage, Malaysia and Indonesia had always enjoyed close 
and brotherly ties. Towards this, Malaysia hopes the bilateral economic cooperation will be further 
strengthened in the years ahead for the betterment of both economies.  
4.187.   To conclude, we thank Indonesia 's response to our questions , and we shall examine the 
responses with the highest of interest. We wish Indonesia a productive Trade Policy Revi ew. 
SINGAPORE  
4.188.   The Singapore delegation welcomes Vice Minister of Trade, H.E. Dr. Jerry Sambuaga, and 
our Indonesian colleagues, who are participating virtually from Jakarta. We thank Indonesia for the 
comprehensive Government report and statement. We also thank the TPRB Chair, Ambassador 
Harald Aspelund, the Secretariat, and the discussant, Ambassador Angel Villalobos Rodriguez of 
Mexico, for their insightful perspectives.  
4.189.   At the outset, Singapore commends Indonesia for supporting the "hybrid " TPR of the W TO, 
in the face of significant disruptions caused by the COVID -19 pandemic. The monitoring function is WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 31 - 
 
  a critical pillar of the WTO and the continuation of these activities signals the Organization 's 
resilience. Allow me to make three points.  
4.190.   First, on the  bilateral front, Singapore and Indonesia share warm and longstanding bilateral 
relations as close neighbours. In 2019, Indonesia was our 6th largest trading partner, with bilateral 
trade volumes amounting to USD 43 billion, covering a wide range of sector s that reflect the breadth 
and depth of our economic ties. Indonesia also continues to be an attractive location for 
Singapore -based investors, and Singapore has consistently been among the top five investors in 
Indonesia since 2001. In fact, since 2014, S ingapore has been the largest foreign investor in 
Indonesia. In 2019, Singapore 's investments in Indonesia reached USD 6.5 billion with 
7,020  projects in Indonesia, and accounting for almost a quarter (23.1%) of Indonesia 's total 
Foreign Direct Investment.  We look forward to hearing more from Indonesia during this Review on 
its plans to make its regulations more readily accessible and transparent, which will help to make 
Indonesia an even more attraction destination for foreign investments.  
4.191.   Singapore and In donesia are also collaborating on several digital economy initiatives. For 
example, the Nongsa Digital Park in Batam, established by Singapore 's Economic Development 
Board and BP Batam of Indonesia in 2018, is an integrated digital park that provides a con ducive 
eco-system for digital businesses to grow. Since its establishment, the Digital Park has grown 
significantly and currently hosts about 100 companies with over 1000 employees. Singapore and 
Indonesia are also partnering to establish tech start -up eco systems and learning -exchange 
programmes, such as e -commerce logistics.  
4.192.   Second, on the regional front, Singapore welcomes Indonesia 's continued efforts to deepen 
economic regional integration in order to realize the objectives of the ASEAN Economic Commun ity 
(AEC) Blueprint 2025. We commend Indonesia 's commitment to promote greater trade facilitation 
and connectivity through the ASEAN Single Window, as well as the ASEAN Wide Self Certification 
scheme and the ASEAN Customs Transit Systems, both of which wen t live in 2020. We look forward 
to Indonesia 's early ratification of the ASEAN E -Commerce Agreement to advance trade rules and 
connectivity in the region. We will continue to work with Indonesia, as well as the rest of ASEAN on 
the smooth implementation of  these initiatives.  
4.193.   Third, on the multilateral front, Singapore applauds Indonesia for its active role in WTO 
Committees and bodies. We are heartened that during the review period, Indonesia ratified the 
Trade Facilitation Agreement, and several IP treatie s, such as the Beijing Treaty on Audio -visual 
Performances. Indonesia 's commitment to IP rights and leveraging on IP as a catalyst for innovation 
is further demonstrated by its government 's efforts to jointly develop a home -grown COVID -19 
vaccine, called t he "Merah Putih (Red -White) " vaccine, with six Indonesian research institutions.  
4.194.   During this TPR, we look forward to learn more about Indonesia 's aims for the recent 
Omnibus tax bill, how it plans to increase the competitiveness and performance of its dome stic 
companies, as well as Indonesia 's initiatives to enhance its customs procedures and import licensing 
requirements to be in line with WTO provisions. We note from the Secretariat 's Report that Indonesia 
remains one of WTO's most frequent initiators of anti-dumping investigations and resulting actions, 
and that Indonesia 's simple average applied MFN tariff rate rose from 7.8% in 2012 to 10.1% in 
2020. The applied MFN rates on 99 HS17 eight -digit tariff lines also appear to exceed their 
corresponding bound rate by 5 percentage points. We encourage Indonesia to rectify this situation 
in accordance with its WTO commitments  
4.195.   To conclude, Singapore will continue to strengthen our cooperation with Indonesia, on the 
multilateral, regional and bi lateral fronts. We wish Indonesia every success for this TPR.  
EUROPEAN  UNION  
4.196.   On behalf of the European Union, I would like to welcome the Indonesian delegation led by 
H. E. Mr. Jerry Sambuaga, Vice Minister of Trade. I am also glad to acknowledge Director General 
of International Trade Negotiations Iman Pambagyo, former Ambassador to the WTO and currently 
the Chief Negotiator for the EU -Indonesia FTA (EU -Indonesia CEPA) who has also been instrumental 
in the successful conclusion of the Regional Comprehensiv e Economic Partnership (RCEP) 
negotiations. I would like to congratulate him on behalf of the EU for this achievement. I also thank WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 32 - 
 
  the WTO Secretariat and the Government of Indonesia for their reports and the Discussant, 
H.E. Mr. Ángel Villalobos Rodrígue z, Ambassador of Mexico, for his views.  
4.197.   Indonesia, as the largest economy of ASEAN, has charted impressive economic growth since 
overcoming the Asian financial crisis in the late 1990s and reached the upper -middle income status 
for the first time in 2019.  Despite the COVID -19 crisis and other global uncertainties that will most 
likely cause a recession this year, there is a potential for continuous long -term growth driven by 
strong domestic demand and the demographic dividend.  
4.198.   We expect the Indonesian Gove rnment under the second term of President Joko Widodo to 
continue to focus on infrastructure development, regulatory reform and improving the business 
climate, and to structurally transform the economy from natural -resources dependency to a more 
competitiv e and modern manufacturing and service powerhouse. Therefore, the EU welcomes the 
spirit of the Omnibus Law on Job Creation, signed by the President on 2 November, which 
fundamentally addresses regulatory overlap and conflicts deriving from many layers of laws and 
regulations. The Omnibus Law may help to address the long -standing issue of burdensome import 
licensing requirements and procedures and improve market access for services and investment. The 
EU looks forward to seeing  this ambition being translate d in the forthcoming implementing 
regulations.  
4.199.   The EU and Indonesia share a long history of economic cooperation. The entry into force of 
the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement in May 2014 created the legal framework for this 
cooperation, with the join t objectives of increasing trade, investment and business opportunities, 
and pursuing poverty alleviation through sustainable economic development.  
4.200.   More recently, the launch of the EU -Indonesia trade negotiations in July 2016 showed the 
common resolve to expand bilateral trade and investment relations and modernize the economy 
through structural reforms.   
4.201.   Bilateral trade in goods between the EU and Indonesia amounted to EUR 26.2 billion in 2019, 
with EU exports worth EUR 10.2 billion and Indonesia 's export s worth EUR 16 billion. This makes 
the EU the third largest trading partner for Indonesia, while Indonesia was the 31st global trading 
partner for the EU and fifth largest partner for the EU in ASEAN.  
4.202.   EU investments continued to grow steadily , and the EU remains the top non -Asian investor 
in Indonesia. FDI stocks more than doubled since 2008, reaching EUR 33 billion in 2018.  
4.203.   We commend Indonesia for its improved WTO commitments by ratifying the WTO Trade 
Facilitation Agreement in 2017.  
4.204.   However, despite a ll the positive economic developments, the EU would like to convey its 
concerns about some trade policy trends in Indonesia since the last Trade Policy Review, and 
especially after the passing of the Trade Law in 2014, regarding the increasing number of la ws and 
regulations that are having systemic consequences for foreign operators ' access to Indonesia 's 
market and impact on Indonesia 's ability to fulfill its WTO commitments.   
4.205.   In particular, we  register the introduction of import licensing requirements, port of entry 
restrictions, trading rights limitations, pre -shipment inspection requirements, local content and 
domestic manufacturing requirements as well as export restrictions (including taxes  and 
prohibitions). All together, these measures create a complex web of approvals and unjustified 
requirements that are disruptive for trade flows and threaten to make Indonesia 's market 
impenetrable.  
4.206.   Among the most important obstacles affecting trade and  investment flows, I would like to 
stress the following measures that have also been subject of the EU advanced questions:  
• The ban on nickel export (enforced since 1 January 2020), which is inconsistent with the 
WTO obligations of Indonesia and is creatin g distortions to the international markets adding 
uncertainty to the business.  
• Cumbersome import procedures. Around one fifth of all Indonesian tariff lines are subject to 
import procedures and licenses that create confusion. This applies to a broad range  of WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 33 - 
 
  products, including electronics, household appliances, textiles and footwear, toys, and food 
and beverage products.  
• Uncertainty continues to surround the implementation of Law 33/2014 – also known as the 
Halal Law, and the related Implementing Regulat ion No 31 of 2019. None of these measures 
have been notified to the WTO.  
• More generally, the insufficient use of international standards and the pervasive local content 
requirements are impeding trade and investment in many sectors and making the business 
environment very unpredictable. Such policies are detrimental to the long -term trade or 
investment objectives, not only in the sectors concerned but also and in the areas of the 
economy that are directly or indirectly related.  
 
4.207.   These measures have also bee n subject of the EU advanced questions and we regret that 
we have not yet received replies by Indonesia.  
4.208.   We would also invite Indonesia to submit without delay outstanding notifications in areas 
such as trade -related investment measures, and quantitative restrictions.  
4.209.   In conclusion, the EU appreciates Indonesia 's development challenges but also its vast 
potential as one of the growing powers in Asia and on the world stage.  The EU encourages Indonesia 
to meet its natural desire to grow its economy by moving  up the added value chain while supporting 
the multilateral trading system. On behalf of the EU, I wish Indonesia a very productive and 
successful Review.  
SWITZERLAND  
4.210.   Thank you for giving me the floor. Like previous speakers, I would like to extend a very  
warm welcome to Indonesia 's delegation led by Vice Minister of Trade, Jerry Adhitya Ksatria 
Sambuaga. Let me also thank the discussant, Ambassador Ángel  Villalobos Rodríguez, for his 
thoughtful observations on this country and the Secretariat for their substantive contributions to this 
trade policy review.  
4.211.   Indonesia has enjoyed remarkably stable and high economic growth in recent years. 
Certainly, the con tinuous reform policy of the Indonesian Government has played a key role to this 
positive development notably by improving the business climate through measures to deregulate, 
cut red tape, open the economy and remove restrictions on foreign investment. Ot her priorities of 
the reform have been to develop infrastructure and increase efforts in education and training. The 
continuity of the economic policy has strengthened business confidence.  
4.212.   Despite these remarkable achievements, Indonesia is still relativel y less integrated into 
global value chains. The Indonesian economy benefits primarily from a vast domestic market and 
growing consumption. Furthermore, state involvement in the economy remains important.  
4.213.   The COVID -19 pandemic is also affecting the Indones ian economy and, as elsewhere in the 
world, is causing a lot of uncertainty for the further development. With good macroeconomic 
conditions before the crisis, a low inflation rate and sound public finances, Indonesia is well prepared 
to take effective meas ures to ensure that the economy overcomes the crisis relatively well and that 
it returns to a growth path soon.  
4.214.   Within this context, we would like to encourage the Indonesian authorities to direct the 
economic and trade policy measures more towards integr ation into global value chains and, to this 
end, that existing barriers to foreign trade and foreign investment be dismantled more vigorously to 
open up additional sectors of the economy for FDI and to foster competition.  
4.215.   Switzerland – together with the ot her EFTA States – has concluded negotiations on a 
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Indonesia in December 2018. I would 
like to extend my thanks to our Indonesian colleagues for the constructive spirit in which these 
negotiations wer e conducted. This ambitious agreement will put our already good bilateral economic 
relations on a new footing and provide an important impetus to bilateral trade. The domestic 
approval procedures are underway on both sides, culminating in a public vote on the agreement in 
Switzerland early next year. We are confident that the Swiss voters will support this important and WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 34 - 
 
  modern agreement and look forward to working towards its successful implementation with our 
Indonesian partners.  
4.216.   I would also like to highl ight the recent signature of the Regional Comprehensive Economic 
Partnership, RCEP, and congratulate Indonesia and the other members for this success.  
4.217.   Switzerland had submitted a series of questions in writing. We are looking forward to 
receiving the answe rs, for which we thank Indonesia very much. We will examine them carefully. In 
our questions we noted applied duties for 99 eight -digit tariff lines that exceed the bound rates in 
Indonesia 's schedule. We would be interested in more information on how Indo nesia intends to 
ensure the conformity of these duties with the WTO obligations.  
4.218.   Switzerland raised its concerns over the potential impact of Indonesia 's Halal Product 
Assurance Law No. 33 of 2014 and its implementing regulation, GR No. 31 of 2019, on bila teral 
trade with Indonesia in a range of products, including food and pharmaceuticals. We wish to 
encourage Indonesia to provide sufficient information and guarantee transparency over the 
implementation of this regulation in order to avoid unnecessary burd en to the economic operators.  
4.219.   Furthermore, Switzerland was asking for more information on the overall objectives of the 
new legislative framework for government procurement. Switzerland would like to encourage 
Indonesia to consider adhering to internation al standards and improving access to government 
procurement markets within the WTO Government Procurement Agreement (GPA). This could be an 
important incentive for MSMEs to increase their exports opportunities and reinforce their 
competitiveness on domesti c and world markets, contributing to achieve sustainable growth and 
sustainable development.  
4.220.   To conclude, let me thank the Indonesian delegation 's constructive and active engagement 
in support of the multilateral trading system. We hope that, with the nece ssary crisis measures, the 
Indonesian economy will soon return to a growth path and that it will be able to sustain this growth 
with a stronger and diversified integration into world trade.  
4.221.   We wish Indonesia a successful outcome of this Trade Policy Review . 
PAKISTAN  
4.222.   Pakistan warmly welcomes the Indonesian delegation led by H.E. Mr. Jerry Adhitya Ksatria 
Sambuaga, Vice Minister of Trade. We wish to thank the Secretariat for their work in preparing the 
report. We also wish to thank H.E. Mr. Ángel Villalobos Rodríguez of Mexico for his introduction and 
a well -articulated analysis of the trade policy of Indonesia to start our discussion.  
4.223.   We would like to commend Indonesia on its various policies and initiatives during the review 
period in the context of improving trade facilitation infrastructure and encouraging support for 
strengthening the multilateral trading system. In particular, we n ote that, Indonesia has 
implemented 88.7% of its commitments under Trade Facilitation Agreement which is a significant 
achievement.  
4.224.   Pakistan and Indonesia enjoy excellent trade relations. The bilateral trade between both 
countries was recorded at USD 2.54 billion in 2018 -19 with exports of USD 167 million and imports 
of USD 2.37 billion. The trade balance remained in favor of Indonesia. During the review period, 
Pakistan generally exported rice, wheat, cotton, paper, mandarin, kinno, fish, leather and garme nts. 
Meanwhile, Pakistan imported palm oil, auto parts, coal, areca nuts, rubber, paper, liquified natural 
gas and cocoa. Apart from trade relations both countries also enjoy strong cultural ties.  
4.225.    Keeping in view the huge Indonesian market and importance  of achieving the status of Full 
Dialogue Partner in ASEAN, Pakistan is pursuing vigorously the strengthening of commercial relations 
with Indonesia. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed during the visit 
of the President of Indone sia in November 2005, was an endeavor in this direction. Under the 
umbrella of CEPA, both sides signed a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) in February 2012.  
4.226.   The PTA was perceived to be a primer for the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to be negotiated 
subseque ntly. The scope of the FTA would be to cover goods, services and investment. For this WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 35 - 
 
  purpose, a Trade Negotiating Committee (TNC) comprising the experts from both sides has been 
constituted.  
4.227.   Both sides have started the negotiations of a comprehensive FTA as per the commitments 
already agreed between the two sides under the CEPA. In this regard, the first meeting of Joint 
Negotiating Committee to discuss matters pertaining to expansion of IP -PTA to FTA was held in 
August 2019.  
4.228.   Given the overall trade and ec onomic cooperation, Pakistan continues to carefully watch the 
developments in Indonesia 's trade policy, in particular agriculture policies, tariffs and TRQs, technical 
standards, sanitary and phytosanitary measures and import licensing regime. We are hopef ul that 
these policies will remain consistent with WTO commitments and obligations and will be non -trade 
restrictive. In order to get more details on specific concerns regarding the Indonesian Import 
Licensing Regime Pakistan has submitted written question s which to be responded by Indonesia in 
due course of this TPR.  
4.229.   Pakistan and Indonesia enjoy good cooperation in all WTO related matters and our Missions 
coordinate on various important matters such as Agriculture, dispute settlement and other systemic 
issues. We are confident that Indonesia stands committed, along with the membership, to the cause 
of trade and sustainable development and upholding a bright future for the multilateral trading 
system.  
4.230.   We thank the delegation of Indonesia and especially thei r WTO Mission under the 
stewardship of Ambassador H.E. Mr. Hasan Kleib for the continued support and cooperation. We 
wish Indonesia a very successful and fruitful Trade Policy Review.  
NORWAY  
4.231.   Norway would like to join others in welcoming the delegation from  Indonesia to this Review 
of Indonesia 's trade policy, and to thank the Secretariat and the Government of Indonesia for their 
reports.  
4.232.   First of all, I would like to underscore the good bilateral and economic cooperation we have 
had with Indonesia for the last 70 years. Indonesia is a significant export market for Norwegian 
seafood, fertilizers as well as broad range of other products. We are cooperating closely in areas 
such as energy, fish and seafood, shipping and the marine environment, as well as in ne w areas 
such as fintech. Over the last 10 years we have worked together to address issues related to climate 
change, such as the challenges related to deforestation. We are looking forward to continue our 
cooperation in all these areas.  
4.233.   We think both repo rts give a good description of the trade policy situation in Indonesia, and 
in particular in sectors of special interest to us, such as maritime transportation, insurance and 
seafood.  
4.234.   Indonesia is an attractive market for Norwegian seafood, and has a grea t potential. In 2019 
we exported nearly 8000 tons of seafood to Indonesia, and we are eager to increase the volume of 
trade between our two countries. Therefore, we are interested in learning more about Indonesia 's 
import regime and import quota system, an d have posed some written questions to that effect. 
Norwegian exporters of seafood have reported difficulties entering the Indonesian market. Import 
licenses and quotas can be hard to obtain, and the allocation system is not transparent. Some 
Norwegian exp orters of seafood have for these reasons stopped their exports to Indonesia. We look 
forward to receiving a response to our questions regarding the system for import licenses and quotas 
for import of seafood, including rules and regulations.  
4.235.   Another are a of concern is related to the shipping sector. Norway notes with concern the 
restrictions placed on foreign -owned shipping and insurance companies regarding the transport of 
certain commodities. The "National Shipping Requirement " and the "National Insurance 
Requirement " require all exports of Indonesian coal and crude palm oil (so -called "relevant exports "), 
as well as imports of rice and government procured goods (so -called "relevant imports "), to be 
shipped on vessels owned or leased by Indonesian -owned shipping companies and insured by 
Indonesian -owned insurance companies.  WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 36 - 
 
  4.236.   We note that the legislation has undergone several amendments, most recently by limiting 
its scope to relevant exports and imports transported on ships with a capacity of 10 00 0 deadweight 
tons or less. This is a step in the right direction. However, we look forward to receiving a response 
to our questions in this regard, and in particular information on how these restrictions comply with 
Indonesia 's WTO obligations.  
4.237.   We appreci ate Indonesia 's efforts to reduce red tape and simplify rules to enhance job 
creation, strengthen trade and foreign investments through the Omnibus Law on Job Creation signed 
by the president on 5 November 2020. At the same time, it is important that this law does not 
weaken environmental regulations. We are looking forward to see the law implemented and to see 
the opening up of further sectors to foreign businesses. This is a step in the right direction and the 
new law is well received by our businesses.  
4.238.   Finally, we are looking forward to the ratification by Indonesia of the CEPA -agreement 
between Indonesia and the EFTA countries, which we believe will contribute to increase trade flows 
and strengthen economic relations in the future, to the benefit of all countries involved.   
4.239.   Let me conclude by wishing the delegation of Indonesia a successful TPR.  
UKRAINE  
4.240.   The Ukrainian delegation is pleased to participate in the 7th Trade Policy Review of 
Indonesia.  
4.241.   On behalf of our delighted, I would like to welcome the de legation of Indonesia led by 
Mr. Jerry Adhitya Ksatria Sambuaga and express appreciation to the Indonesia's team for its 
constructive engagement in this TPR exercise. Ukraine also appreciates the substantial work of the 
TPRB Chair and the WTO Secretariat, the meaningful analysis of the discussant, H.E. Mr. Ángel 
Villalobos Rodríguez.  
4.242.   Ukraine commends Indonesia for its positive economic performance represented by steady 
growth of the economy (averaging 5.0% per year during the review period) and acknowledges  
efforts of the Government in implementation of various trade and trade -related structural reforms, 
including policies that improve the investment climate, enhance industrial competitiveness, upgrade 
logistics efficiency, stimulate export, promote tourism,  and strengthen people's purchasing power.  
4.243.   We note several additional support initiatives, undertaken for minimizing the adverse 
economic impact of COVID -19, and believe that Indonesia could successfully address current 
COVID -19 challenges and support econ omic growth.  
4.244.   Ukraine also notes degree of openness of the Indonesian economy and importance of 
international trade in it, but considers that there are more possibilities for its integration into global 
value chains.  
4.245.   At the multilateral level, Ukraine recog nizes principal role of Indonesia on various economic 
and trade -related issues of importance to the developing country members and the least -developed 
country members, within the WTO process as well as outside the WTO, including continuation of 
negotiating  the Doha Development Agenda, implementation of the WTO reform, trade facilitation, 
reducing non -tariff barriers etc.  
4.246.   Indonesia is an important trade partner of Ukraine. The key points of our cooperation are 
trade in agricultural products and interaction between competent authorities that ensure product 
safety control.  
4.247.   In 2019 the volume of our bilateral trade in goods increased by 17.8% comparably to 2018 
and amounted more than USD 1 billion. Our bilateral trade in agricultural products amounted to 
USD 723.9 million in 2019 ( ↑ 9.1%). For 9 months of 2020 it has increased by 5.3%.  
4.248.   Ukraine is interested in enhancing our bilateral trade and economic cooperation.  WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 37 - 
 
  4.249.   The reports of the Government of Indonesia and the WTO Secretariat raised questions in a 
number of areas – as detailed in Ukraine 's written submissions to this Review. The main themes 
addressed were: investment policy, sanitary requirements for obtaining p ermits for importation of 
eggs, meat and bone meal from bovine, swine and poultry into Indonesia, amended provisions on 
compulsory licensing, regulations on financial services etc.  
4.250.   While analyzing given responses, Ukraine is looking forward to developing f urther 
partnership and enhanced trade between both countries and wishes Indonesia successful TPR.  
JAPAN  
Introduction  
4.251.   Let me first extend a warm welcome to this Seventh TPR meeting to the distinguished 
delegation of Indonesia headed by His Excellency, Jerry Adhitya Ksatria Sambuaga, Vice Minister of 
Trade. We truly appreciate that the Indonesian delegation has shown great  flexibility by agreeing to 
hold this TPR meeting via a virtual format under the current circumstances. Also, we sincerely 
appreciate the dedicated efforts made by Indonesia and the WTO Secretariat to prepare the insightful 
reports shared with the members in advance of today's review.  
General affairs (macroeconomy)  
4.252.   Indonesia is a very important trading partner for Japan. In 2019, Indonesia was Japan 's 
twelfth largest trading partner, and trade between our two countries reached a value of 
USD 32 billion in t otal. On investment, Japan continues to be the seventh largest foreign direct 
investor to Indonesia, and our FDI amounted to USD 8.4 billion in 2019.  
4.253.   Domestic demand is a major driver of economic growth for Indonesia. During 2020, however, 
this demand has been particularly hard hit due to the COVID -19 pandemic. In spite of this, we 
acknowledge that Indonesia has been placing increasing importance on structural reforms, notably 
in the area of labour productivity, the taxation system, and policy administratio n for areas such as 
import procedures. We look forward to seeing Indonesia recovering quickly and building back better 
by advancing these reforms.  
Trade Policy  
4.254.   Turning to trade policy, Indonesia and Japan have strengthened economic partnership 
through sev eral RTAs, including our Indonesia -Japan EPA and the ASEAN -Japan EPA. For instance, 
under a specific provision of the Indonesia -Japan EPA, 186 candidates for nurses and 577 candidates 
for care workers have passed the Japanese national exam as of March 2020 , enabling them to work 
in Japan. Also, we are pleased that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) was 
signed on 15 November this year. We believe that Indonesia 's efforts and cooperation under these 
RTAs will contribute to further strength ening the Multilateral Trading System. We would also 
appreciate it if Indonesia could kindly share the current situation concerning its ongoing negotiations 
with other countries such as Korea, Central and South American countries, and African countries, 
further to the explanation made by the head of delegation in this initial remark.  
4.255.   During the review period, we welcome Indonesia 's trade facilitating measures, inter alia the 
launching of the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme and the participation  in the ASEAN 
Single Window as the head of delegation mentioned before. However, we express our concerns over 
the undue delay of import permission procedures for rice without a clear explanation, and arbitrary 
or non -transparent measures on some fresh food s for sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) reasons.  
Specific Trade Issues  
4.256.   As for textile products, importing for sales purposes has been substantially restricted since 
the introduction of Indonesia 's import registration and approval regime, and these restricti ons are 
leading to substantial import decline. In addition, on 21 September 2020, Indonesia notified the 
WTO of its proposal to apply safeguard measures on carpets and textile products. We are concerned 
that the measures may potentially be envisaged to imp ose additional high tariffs. We encourage 
Indonesia to carefully consider the scope of the goods targeted by this measure in light of the WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 38 - 
 
  agreement on safeguards, which stipulates that safeguard measures shall be applied only to the 
extent necessary.  
4.257.   Regar ding the import licencing procedure for steel products, since 2010, Indonesia has 
tightened the management of 480 products under the Minister of Industry and Trade Decrees. Since 
then, it has been taking an unnecessarily long time to issue import licences requiring additional 
documents. Not only that, but authority frequently do not fully approve the quantities which 
importers are intended to import, and reduce the quantity allowed without any specific reasons being 
provided. Bearing in mind this situation,  Japan requests Indonesia to properly administer its import 
licence procedures without distorting trade liberalization.  
4.258.   On 4 September 2015, Indonesia 's Anti -Dumping Committee (KADI) initiated an 
investigation to review the sunset of anti -dumping measures on cold -rolled steel sheets, however, 
the WTO has not yet been informed of the results of the investigation. Once the investigation has 
been completed, we look forward to seeing this notified to the Committee on Anti -dumping.  
4.259.   With regard to telecommunicati ons, since 2015, the Ministry of Communication and 
Information Technology introduced a requirement to meet the relevant local content thresholds for 
4G LTE mobile devices and base stations and also established a regulation on the calculation 
methodology fo r the local procurement ratio without providing any specific guidelines. Japan is 
concerned that these measures have been creating a less favourable treatment for foreign products 
and therefore are inconsistent with TRIMs and GATT rules.  
Conclusion  
4.260.   In conc lusion, Japan positively evaluates Indonesia 's efforts towards improvement of its 
trade environment since the previous TPR. We appreciate the answers provided by Indonesia to our 
written questions. We will consider them carefully, and if we have further co ncerns, we will submit 
additional questions. Last but not least, we wish Indonesia a successful and productive TPR. Thank 
you, Mr. Chairman, Mr. Discussant, H.E. Mr. Ángel Villalobos Rodríguez, and all the distinguished 
delegates of Indonesia.  
PHILIPPINES  
4.261.   The Philippines associates itself with the ASEAN Statement delivered by Malaysia, 
highlighting the important contributions and active role of Indonesia in the ASEAN and the WTO.  
4.262.   The Philippine delegation warmly welcomes and congratulates the delegation of Indonesia 
led by Trade Vice Minister Jerry Adhitya Ksatria Sambuaga in Jakarta and Ambassador Grata Endah 
Werdaningtyas and Ambassador Syamsul Bahri Siregar in Geneva on their 7t h Trade Policy Review. 
We also thank Ambassador Angel Villalobos Rodriguez of Mexico for his insightful comments as 
discussant, and the WTO Secretariat for a comprehensive report.  
4.263.   The Philippines has a dynamic and longstanding bilateral relationship with Indonesia, which 
was further strengthened with the establishment of our formal diplomatic relations in November 
1949. For the past seven decades, our two countries have deepened our ties and broaden our 
economic cooperation. In 2019, Indonesia ranked as th e Philippines ' 8th major trading partner, with 
total two -way trade valued at USD 7.7 billion. Indonesia was also the Philippines ' 13th export 
market, 6th import source, and 27th source of approved investments.  
4.264.   To further strengthen the bilateral trade and investment flows between our two economies, 
the Philippines and Indonesia recently conducted the 8th Meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) 
on Trade, Investments, Handicrafts and Shipping, which was virtually held on 11 August 2020. The 
Joint Working Gro up serves as a focused mechanism to discuss trade, investments, economic 
cooperation and other issues affecting the business environment, which compliments the regular 
engagement of both countries under the ASEAN framework. The virtual Joint Working Group held 
last August was the first bilateral meeting convened by the Philippines since the onset of the 
pandemic, which demonstrated the strategic importance of Indonesia to the Philippines, especially 
given the many commonalities we share as two of the bigges t economies in ASEAN, working together 
to address the unprecedented crisis.  WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 39 - 
 
  4.265.   Similar to the Philippines, Indonesia is an archipelago nation, rich in natural resources and 
benefiting from a significant size of labour force which comprise around 68% of its to tal population. 
Indonesia holds the world 's 4th largest population and 10th largest economy in terms of purchasing 
power parity. It is the largest economy in Southeast Asia comprising 35% of the region 's GDP.  
4.266.   The Philippines notes the important updates on  Indonesia 's trade and investment policies, 
as well as its institutional and regulatory reform initiatives, in areas including transparency, anti -
corruption, investment promotion, and economic dispute resolution. During the review period, the 
general thrus t of Indonesia's trade policy was revised in several areas, including tariffs; customs 
procedures; import and export prohibitions; restrictions and licensing; export taxes; and export 
finance, guarantees and insurance. We acknowledge these developments and  look forward to 
learning more about these new policies through this review process.  
4.267.   Further, we note from Indonesia 's Government Report that it is amongst the top five 
economies in the world with the most numbers of start -ups. The Philippines appreciates the inclusion 
of MSME section in Indonesia 's government report, recognizing MSMEs as an engine of Indonesia 's 
economic growth as it contributes to more than half of its economy 's revenue.  
4.268.   The Philippines commends Indonesia 's commitment to the multilateral trading system and 
its active engagements in the various WTO work, including the negotiations on agriculture and 
fisheries subsidies, and the joint statement initiatives on electronic commerce and investment 
facilitation. We would likewise enc ourage and welcome Indonesia 's support to the WTO Informal 
Working Group on MSME 's package of recommendations and declarations to support MSMEs 
participation in international trade considering the important contribution of MSMEs to inclusive and 
sustainabl e economic growth.  
4.269.   The Philippines has submitted some advance written questions on the TPR reports and we 
thank the delegation of Indonesia in advance for their prompt replies.  
4.270.   In closing, the Philippines looks forward to further enhancing the mutually b eneficial 
economic relations with Indonesia in the bilateral, regional, and multilateral fora.  
RUSSIAN  FEDERATION  
4.271.   I would like to extend a warm welcome to the delegation of Indonesia. We appreciate the 
comprehensive reports by the Government and the WTO Se cretariat. Our thanks also go to the 
discussant, H.E. Mr. Ángel Villalobos Rodríguez, for his thoughtful remarks. We hope that this TPR 
would contribute significantly to the transparency of the trade regime of Indonesia.  
4.272.   We would like to commend the Govern ment of Indonesia for carrying out effective trade and 
investment policies that ensured solid economic performance and resilience of its economy with the 
annual average GDP growth at 5.1% during the review period. It seems that the Government was 
relativel y successful at addressing the COVID -19 challenges with timely and effective interventions 
that allowed to minimize economic impact of the pandemic. We welcome Indonesia 's continued 
commitment to the multilateral trading system, the ratification of the Tra de Facilitation Agreement 
in December 2017 and submission of several notifications in a number of areas.  
4.273.   Over the years, the Russian Federation and Indonesia have been developing bilateral 
economic cooperation in many areas. Joint projects are being undert aken in infrastructure 
development, energy sector, mining and mineral processing, supply of equipment and vehicles, civil 
aviation, space industry. During the review period, our trade turnover showed an upward trend, 
amounting to USD 3.3 billion in 2017, r ising by more than 25% compared to the previous year.  
4.274.   Russia has submitted a number of written questions related to issues of import prohibitions 
and quantitative restrictions, import licensing, antidumping and safeguard measures, competition 
policies, ser vices, intellectual property rights and others. Questions concerning measures affecting 
production and trade, i.e. government procurement and SPS requirements, are of our particular 
interest. We thank  
4.275.   the delegation of Indonesia for the replies and hope t o continue working on alleviating 
existing quite sensitive trade issues with a view to enhance our bilateral cooperation.  WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 40 - 
 
  4.276.   In conclusion, we would like to thank you, Mr. Chairman, the delegation of Indonesia, the 
Secretariat and the discussant, for the impr essive work done so far and wish Indonesia a successful 
Trade Policy Review.  
THAILAND  
4.277.   At the outset, Thailand would like to associate itself with ASEAN statement delivered by 
Malaysia.  
4.278.   Thailand is pleased to participate in the 7th trade policy review of I ndonesia. We welcome 
the delegation of Indonesia led by H.E. Mr. Jerry Adhitya Ksatria Sambuaga, Vice Minister of Trade. 
We would also like to thank the WTO Secretariat and the Government of Indonesia for their excellent 
reports. Let us also extend our app reciation to the TPRB Chair and the discussant, Ambassador Angel 
Villalobos Rodriguez of Mexico for their insightful perspectives.  
4.279.   Thailand and Indonesia have enjoyed a long history of friendship and cooperation. With 
70 years of diplomatic relations, the  two countries have become not only close strategic partners 
but also ASEAN Member States who share mutual interests on both regional and international issues. 
In view of bilateral trade, Indonesia is Thailand 's 7th largest trading partner in the world and  4th 
largest trading partner in ASEAN. Over the period from 2013 to 2019, the total bilateral trade showed 
an increasing trend and reached USD 18.2 billion in 2018. Presently, our bilateral trade remains 
robust, despite the pandemic.  
4.280.   On regional integrati on, Indonesia has made significant contributions within ASEAN, 
especially in the negotiations of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement 
(RCEP), which is the world 's largest regional free trade agreement. We look forward to the entry 
into force of RCEP and believe that RCEP will effectively serve as an economic recovery platform in 
post COVID -19 era.  
4.281.   Thailand commends Indonesia for maintaining solid growth and the resilience of its economy 
by relatively strong fundamentals and sound macroe conomic policy since it last TPR despite global 
challenges. Thailand appreciates Indonesia 's ongoing efforts to trade and trade -related structural 
reforms in order to raise productivity and competitiveness. We also welcome Indonesia 's consistent 
efforts to liberalize and streamline its FDI regime.  
4.282.   Thailand highly values Indonesia as an active supporter of the multilateral trading system. 
We commend Indonesia for the ratification of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement in 2017 and for  
submitting timely notifications in several areas. We also welcome Indonesia 's constructive 
engagement in the WTO negotiations on fisheries as well as the Joint Statement Initiatives on 
e-commerce and investment facilitation for development.  
4.283.   In this review , Thailand submitted a set of questions, covering the policies and measures of 
our interests, including import restrictions of some products through licensing and state trading 
requirements; and the regulation concerning import licensing requirements of ho rticultural product. 
Thailand thanks Indonesia in advance for written responses.  
4.284.   In closing, Thailand would like to express our appreciation to Indonesia for the cooperation 
in every level and the friendly working relationship between our two Missions here  in Geneva. We 
wish Indonesia every success in this TPR.  
TURKEY  
4.285.   We would like to join previous speakers in extending a very warm welcome to the delegation 
of Indonesia, headed by His Excellency Jerry Adhitya Ksatria Sambuaga, Vice Minister of Trade. We 
took note of his introductory remarks with great interest and we thank the delegation of Indonesia 
for their comprehensive report. We also would like to thank the Secretariat for its report as well as 
our discussant, Ambassador Angel Villalobos Rodriguez of M exico, for his insightful comments.   
4.286.   Being the world's fourth most populous nation, the world's 10th largest economy in terms 
of purchasing power parity, and a member of the G20, Indonesia is the largest economy in Southeast 
Asia. WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 41 - 
 
  4.287.   As it is indicated in the  reports, Indonesia is an emerging lower middle -income country, with 
a diversified economy in which the services and industrial sectors are the main contributors to 
country 's GDP and exports.  
4.288.   We are pleased to see that in the course of the review period, the Indonesian economy grew 
steadily at an average rate of 5.1% per year. In addition, the unemployment rate fell to 5% in 2019, 
compared to 5.9% in 2014. On the other hand, GDP per capita continued to increase from USD  3,531 
in 2014 to USD 3,927 in 2018. This progress is the concrete outcome of the trade and trade -related 
structural reforms implemented by the Indonesian Government.  
4.289.   Despite all the challenges posed by the COVID -19 pandemic, we believe that the "National 
Medium -Term Development Plan 2020 -2024" adopted by the Government, will help Indonesia in 
reaching its macro -economic targets and implementing its national development strategies in the 
post-COVID period.  
4.290.   Indonesia is one of the largest trade partners of Turkey in the Asia -Pacific region. Tur key 
and Indonesia have unique and deep -rooted relations, despite their distance in terms of geography.  
4.291.   We value a close collaboration with Indonesia in various platforms. In this regard, two 
countries continue their fruitful cooperation in multilateral pl atforms, namely through G20, MIKTA, 
ASEAN, D -8 and SMIIC.  
4.292.   As for our bilateral relations, we are particularly interested in collaborating in the areas of 
trade, industry and culture.  
4.293.   The Joint Economic and Technical Cooperation Committee was established between the two 
countries in 1982 and until now we had eight meetings, the last one being held in 2017 in Jakarta. 
Indeed, these meetings present a useful tool to address and further strengthen bilateral trade 
relations.  
4.294.   We have a trade volume of USD 1,641 billion as of 2019, which obviously does not reflect 
the true potential of our economies and in achieving this, we defined a target of USD 3 billion trade 
volume in short -term through diversifying the current composition of bilateral trade on a mutually 
beneficial basis.  
4.295.   In addition, Turkish companies are keen to take part in the infrastructure and investment 
projects in Indonesia. In order to foster mutual investments and promote bilateral investment 
opportunities, Turkey believes the importa nce of having a bilateral investment agreement as soon 
as possible.  
4.296.   As the report sets out, Indonesia has successfully made progress on preferential trade 
agreements during the review period. Turkey started Comprehensive Economic Partnership 
Agreement (CEP A) negotiations with Indonesia in 2017. We believe that conclusion of this 
Agreement in the years to come will be extremely beneficial for both countries.  
4.297.   Before concluding, I want to thank Ambassador Hasan Kleib and Ambassador Syamsul for 
their active con tributions to our work and their constructive engagement in the negotiations under 
this roof.  
4.298.   We wish Indonesia a successful completion of its Seventh Trade Policy Review.  
INDIA  
4.299.   My delegation is pleased to participate in the 7th Trade Policy Review of Ind onesia. On behalf 
of India, I would like to welcome the delegation of Indonesia led by H.E. Jerry Adhitya Ksatria 
Sambuaga, Vice Minister of Trade and the Indonesian delegation to the WTO in Geneva for the TPR. 
We thank Jerry Adhitya Ksatria Sambuaga for h is comprehensive opening statement, Ambassador 
H.E. Angel Villalobos Rodriguez of Mexico, for his insightful observations as a discussant, and the 
Secretariat and the Government of Indonesia for the reports prepared for the Review.  WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 42 - 
 
  4.300.   We are pleased to note f rom the Secretariat 's Report that despite the global challenges and 
the COVID -19 pandemic, Indonesia has witnessed solid growth and economic resilience, 
characterized by strong fundamentals and sound macro -economic policy. We wish to complement 
the Governm ent of Indonesia and its people on their economic success.  
4.301.   India has enjoyed close cultural ties with Indonesia, stretching back in time to at least two 
millennia. Indonesia is a key economic partner for India in Southeast Asia. It is also an important 
partner in our regional and plurilateral engagements, as a member of G20 and the ASEAN.  
4.302.   Closer political relationship and regular high -level exchanges have contributed to a new 
dynamism in our economic and commercial ties. Prime Minister Modi 's visit in 2018  not only helped 
deepen the co -operation in the existing areas but also paved the way for new areas of cooperation. 
The closer relationship between the two countries was further demonstrated in participation of the 
President of Indonesia H.E. Joko Widodo a long with all ASEAN Heads of States as Chief Guests at 
the Republic Day celebration of India in January 2018.  
4.303.   Both countries have been working towards a bilateral Comprehensive Economic Cooperation 
Agreement (CECA) and have set up a number of institutiona l mechanisms to promote closer 
economic co -operation, inducing a Joint Commission, JWG 's, Trade Minister 's Forum, a CEO 's Forum, 
an Energy Forum, Infrastructure Forum and a Trade and Investment Forum etc.  
4.304.   With bilateral trade of almost USD 20 billion in 2019 -20, Indonesia is the second largest 
trading destination for India in the ASEAN region. The trade between the two countries has witnessed 
more than five -fold increase since 2005 -06 (USD 4.3 billion). Commodity exports constitute a 
growing ar ea of bilateral trade. India is one of the largest buyers of coal and crude palm oil from 
Indonesia and imports minerals, rubber, pulp and paper and hydrocarbons reserves. India exports 
refined petroleum products, commercial vehicles, telecommunication equ ipment, bovine meat, 
animal feed, agriculture products, steel and plastics to Indonesia.  
4.305.   Beyond trade, our investment ties have grown rapidly with two -way investments in both our 
countries. There are about 30 major Indian investments in Indonesia with over  USD 15 billion 
investments in infrastructure, power, textiles, steel, automotive, mining, banking and consumer 
goods sectors. All the prominent Indian business groups have strong presence in Indonesia. 
Similarly, a number of Indonesian companies are also present in India in the areas of agro products, 
processed food, transportation, logistics sectors etc.  
4.306.   We believe that there is immense potential for further expanding our economic ties and I 
take this opportunity to highlight some of the factors that are  acting as barriers in realizing the full 
potential of our cooperation. But first, on a positive note, during the last TPR, India had raised the 
issue of bovine meat exports to Indonesia. We would like to acknowledge that due to the positive 
policy changes  brought about by Indonesia in 2016, the export of India bovine meat has now become 
possible and is one of the growing areas of bilateral trade.  
4.307.   Having said that, as noted in the Secretariat report, the high levels of tariff and non -tariff 
barriers in Indo nesia continue to pose a challenge to our exporters. Indian agricultural products such 
as bitter gourd, pumpkin, table grapes, musk melon, pomegranate, honey, etc. continue to face 
market access barriers due to delayed SPS procedures and the system of quot as etc. Similar 
challenges are faced by exporters of manufactured goods as well, in the area of automobiles, tyres 
etc. We are also concerned over the use of anti -dumping duty on our exports including polyester 
staple fibre, hot rolled coil biaxially orien ted polyethylene terephthalate (BOPET) and yarn. We 
believe that these measures are not justified , and we request the Government of Indonesia to 
reconsider these measures that have unfairly targeted our exporters.  
4.308.   A number of policies in the mining sector are adversely impacting Indian companies which 
have made substantial investments in the coal mining sector in Indonesia. These include a regulation 
requiring foreign investors to divest a minimum of 51% of their equity by the 10th year of production. 
Also problematic is the domestic market obligation which requires mining companies to sell 26% of 
their production locally. We hope Indonesia will take appropriate steps to review these policies soon.  
4.309.   In the pharmaceutical sector, the requirement for foreign dr ug registration holders to set up 
production facility within two years of registration, lengthy and cumbersome registration procedures, WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 43 - 
 
  an FDI cap on foreign companies are severe limiting factors. We encourage greater transparency, 
simplification of proced ures and liberalization in the pharmaceutical sector.  
4.310.   Finally, our businesses and professionals continue to face difficulties due to the restrictive 
visa and work permit policies and it acts as a dampener on our businesses who wish to invest more 
and contr ibute to the growth of the Indonesian economy. We believe that simpler and easier visa 
policies will go a long way in enabling a positive business climate in the country.  
4.311.   We are committed to strengthening trade and investment partnership with Indonesia. W e 
hope that though our engagements we can resolve our trade concerns and achieve mutually 
beneficial trade exchanges in the future. I would like to thank the Indonesian delegation for providing 
answers to the questions raised by us for the TPR, which will be reviewed by our Capital.  
4.312.   Before I conclude I wish to acknowledge and appreciate Indonesia 's active role in the WTO 
as coordinator of the G33 group, of which India is also a member. The G33 proposal, under 
Indonesian leadership, was instrumental in secur ing a positive outcome on food security/PSH at the 
Bali Ministerial. We will continue to work closely with our Indonesian friends, both here in Geneva 
and in our respective capitals, to realize the vast potential of our trade and investment ties. I wish 
our Indonesian friends a productive and successful TPR.  
KAZAKHSTAN  
4.313.   Kazakhstan is pleased to participate in the seventh Trade Policy Review of Indonesia.  
4.314.   Kazakhstan is closely monitoring the economic development of Indonesia and attaches high 
importance to st rengthening bilateral cooperation with Indonesia wishing to build a stronger 
economic and trade relationship.  
4.315.   Within this TPR exercise, Kazakhstan has raised a number of important questions on a range 
of issues of specific interest, such as import licenses , services, government procurement, subsidies, 
and trade remedies. Kazakhstan looks forward to receiving replies from Indonesia to our concerns.  
4.316.   At the same time, Kazakhstan is very much interested in realizing its export opportunities 
on Indonesia 's marke t, particularly on the export of hot -rolled coil. In this regard, we urge the 
Indonesian Government to address the issue of anti -dumping measure on hot -rolled coil originating 
from Kazakhstan due to its incompatibility with WTO rules. We stand for bilatera l consultations on 
this matter.  
4.317.   As I conclude, I would like to congratulate the delegation of Indonesia and the Secretariat 
of the WTO, for the hard work and efforts that went into preparing for this TPR. We wish the 
delegation of Indonesia every success f or their seventh Trade Policy Review.  
KINGDOM  OF SAUDI  ARABIA  
4.318.   The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is very pleased to take part in the seventh Trade Policy Review 
of Indonesia and wishes to extend a very warm welcome to the delegation of Indonesia headed by 
H.E. Mr. Jerry Ksatria Sambuaga, Vice Minister of Trade. I would like  to take this opportunity to 
thank Indonesia and the Secretariat of the WTO for their detailed and comprehensive Trade Policy 
Review reports. I also thank the discussant H.E. Ambassador Mr. Ángel Villalobos Rodríguez from 
Mexico for his insightful and perc eptive comments.  
4.319.   Despite the Covid -19 crisis which disrupted business activity, weighed on domestic demand 
and decreased investment appetite, the Indonesian economy remained resilient; sustained by 
responsive macroeconomic policies; and diversified product ion. The annual average GDP growth rate 
stood at 5.1% in 2019.  
4.320.   Indonesia is to be commended for its large-scale fiscal and monetary stimulus to help 
protecting businesses and consumers facing the impact of COVID 19 and to support the economic 
activity.  WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 44 - 
 
  4.321.   Indonesia is also to be commended for its Masterplan for the Acceleration and Expansion of 
Economic Development of the country which confirms the importance of productivity, innovation, 
and trade in achieving economic growth and provides the building blocks to transform Indonesia into 
one of the 10 major economies in the world by 2025.  
4.322.   The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is happy to congratulate Indonesia for undertaking important 
trade and investment -related reforms to ensure regulatory environment for businesses a nd 
investment and encourage more competition in the domestic market to increase the resilience of the 
economy and its ability to cope with external competition.  
4.323.   Saudi Arabia and Indonesia enjoy a brotherly and substantive relationship, underpinned by 
comme rcial ties and supported by shared membership in the G20 and the Organization of the Islamic 
Conference. Trade with Indonesia has increased dramatically in recent decades. The total bilateral 
trade surpassed USD 4.61 billion in 2019. During the period of r eview, several official visits between 
political and business leaders from both countries were conducted to explore further opportunities 
for cooperation to increase two -way trade and investment particularly in the sector of energy, 
development of private sector, especially small and medium enterprises, and tourism.  
4.324.    The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has submitted questions to Indonesia about regulatory impact 
assessment. We thank Indonesia for answering these questions.  
4.325.   We welcome Indonesia's continued positive efforts with the example of its own economic 
development and in the multilateral context.  
4.326.   To conclude, I wish the Indonesian delegation a very successful Trade Policy Review.  
CHINA  
4.327.   China would like to join others in welcoming the delegation of Indonesia, l ed by His 
Excellency Mr. Jerry Adhitya Ksatria Sambuaga, to this TPR and would also like to express our 
appreciation to the discussant, Ambassador of Mexico, for the detailed report and insightful 
comments, and also the Secretariat 's efforts and contributi ons to this TPR.  
4.328.   China and Indonesia enjoy a close economic relationship, which is underpinned by a rapid 
growth in bilateral trade and investment flows. China has been, for nine consecutive years, the 
largest trade partner of Indonesia and ranked in the top three foreign investors of Indonesia since 
2016. Despite the world trade fell sharply this year due to the COVID -19 pandemic, the bilateral 
trade and investment between China and Indonesia remains stable, with a 6.3% export increase 
from Indonesia to China and 79% growth of China 's FDI to Indonesia for the period of January to 
September 2020.  
4.329.   We commend Indonesia 's active role in the WTO, especially the leading role Indonesia has 
played in the agriculture negotiations, such as the Chairmanship of G3 3. China welcomes Indonesia 's 
participation on the joint initiatives, especially its active engagement on the Joint initiative on 
Investment Facilitation for Development. We also recognize Indonesia 's 88.7% Trade Facilitation 
Agreement implementation commi tments to date across all categories.  
4.330.   We note Indonesia 's active participation in the FTA negotiations and in the regional 
integration. We would like to take this opportunity to specifically commend Indonesia 's active 
engagement in the Regional Comprehens ive Economic Partnership negotiation and its contribution 
to bring this negotiation to a successful conclusion after 8 years of negotiations. This demonstrates 
Indonesia 's firm belief in trade liberalization and openness, especially during the time when th e 
global trade is suffering unilateralism and protectionism. We are looking forward to the RCEP early 
entry into force and believe this will vigorously boost confidence in regional trade and investment, 
hasten the economic recovery and bring significant op portunities and benefits to other countries 
both in and outside of the region.  
4.331.   We welcome Indonesia 's efforts on promoting trade openness and creating more friendly 
climate for foreign investments, such as the recently passed Omnibus Law on Job creation. I n the 
meantime, we would like to encourage Indonesia to take further measures to improve the business 
environment, with the hope that Indonesia could further reduce and eliminate import restrictions, WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 45 - 
 
  especially on agriculture products, resort to trade reme dy measures in a more prudent manner, 
enhance the transparency, predictability and stability of trade and investment policies, and 
streamline the working visa process for investors. We believe such measures will further make 
Indonesia more attractive to th e business.  
4.332.   Finally, we look forward to receiving Indonesia 's responses to our questions and wish 
Indonesia a full successful Trade Policy Review.  
ICELAND  
4.333.   Iceland welcomes Honorable Jerry Adhitya Ksatria Sambuaga, Vice Minister of Trade and the 
distinguish ed delegation of Indonesia to their seventh trade policy review – and we express 
appreciation to the WTO Secretariat, as well as to Indonesia, for the reports prepared for this trade 
policy review, as well as the discussant, Ambassador Ángel Villalobos Rod riguez from Mexico for his 
excellent framing of the issues for our discussion today.  
4.334.   Prior to the COVID -19 pandemic, Indonesia had been experiencing solid economic growth 
and average GDP growth rate of 5.1%. Iceland welcomes the various initiatives underta ken by 
Indonesia for raising productivity and competitiveness and promoting economic diversification.  
4.335.   Among these initiatives Indonesia has undertaken several bilateral free trade negotiations. 
In 2018 The EFTA States, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and S witzerland signed a Comprehensive 
Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Indonesia. This is a very important agreement for the 
EFTA states.  Merchandise trade between the EFTA States and Indonesia amounted to USD 1.8 billion 
in 2018. Bilateral trade bet ween Iceland and Indonesia has been steadily increasing in the last years 
and will no doubt continue to do so after the entry into force of the agreement.  
4.336.   As the impact of the COVID -19 pandemic are still unfolding, new challenges arise related to 
trade an d trade -related activities. It is now widely recognized that women are likely to be harder hit 
than men by trade disruptions caused by the pandemic.  
4.337.   In September 2020, a group of WTO members agreed to establish an Informal Working 
Group on Trade and Gende r, marking the next phase of an initiative kick started in 2017 to increase 
the participation of women in trade.  
4.338.   The Trade Policy Review provides an excellent opportunity to share best practices of 
respective experiences relating to policies and programs to encourage women's participation in 
national and international trade and thus promoting sustainable socioeconomic development.  
4.339.   Iceland submitted advance written questions on the participation of women in the economy 
of Indonesia. The answers will be use ful as we gather best practices.  
4.340.   Iceland appreciates Indonesia 's active engagement in WTO and their continued support for 
the multilateral trading system. We wish the delegation of Indonesia every success for their seventh 
Trade Policy Review.  
CAMBODIA  
4.341.   My delegation joins other to express our warmest welcome the delegation of Indonesia led 
by H.E Mr. Jerry Adhitya Ksatria Sambuaga, Vice Minister of Trade of Indonesia. Our thanks also go 
to H.E Ambassador Ángel Villalobos Rodríguez of Mexico for his insightf ul assessment reflecting the 
current trade policies and economic performance of Indonesia. We also thank the Trade Policy 
Review Division and Indonesia for their reports for this review.  
4.342.   Cambodia associates itself with the statement made Malaysia on behal f of ASEAN Member 
States.  
4.343.   We acknowledge the important and active role of Indonesia in the ASEAN region especially 
the role of Indonesia in supporting Cambodian membership to ASEAN in 1999 and its role towards 
to the successful conclusion and signing of the Regional Comprehensive E conomic Partnership WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 46 - 
 
  Agreement. We also acknowledge the good performances and efforts of Indonesia including the 
reforms.  
4.344.   We would also like to congratulate Indonesia for maintaining its remarkable GDP growth at 
5.1% since its last review.  
4.345.   Cambodia and In donesia have shared a close political, cultural, and historical relationship. 
We established diplomatic relations on 13 February 1959. Last year, we joint memorial activity to 
celebrate the 60th Anniversary of our diplomatic relations. Cambodia and Indones ia had agreed to 
strengthen relations through the enhancement of bilateral mechanisms, aimed at improving 
economic cooperation in the investment, trade, and tourism sectors. We have signed the income tax 
treaty in 2017 and it entered into force on 28 July 2020. The provision generally take effect from 
1 January 2021. I would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation and thanks to 
Indonesia for its consistent helps including its role to bring peace and prosperity to Cambodia 
through the 1991 Paris Peace Accords.  
4.346.   Trade between the two countries was around USD 792 Million in 2019, increased by 46% 
compared to 2018 which was about USD 543 Million. Cambodia 's exports to Indonesia was about 
USD 22.3 Million in 2019 increased by 4% compared to 2018  and imports about USD 770 Million, 
an increase of 47% in the same period. Cambodia mainly exports apparel, rice, rubber and footwear 
to Indonesia while importing drugs, food, beverages, motorcycles and personal care products from 
Indonesia.  
4.347.   In the contex t of the WTO, we thank and appreciate the delegation of Indonesia in Geneva 
led by ambassador Grata Endah Werdaningtyas and Ambassador Syumsul Barhi Siregar, for their 
friendship and good cooperation. We commend Indonesia for putting its efforts and active  
participation in supporting rule -based multilateral trading system. I particularly appreciate Indonesia 
for its endorsement for LDC members to benefit from the aid for trade scheme and we note that 
Indonesia has already given aid for trade to a few LDCs t hrough the South -South Cooperation 
mechanism. We would encourage Indonesia and other members to provide aid for trade and other 
technical assistances to LDCs to encourage our integration into the world trading system especially 
during this COVID -19 Pandemi c.  
4.348.   As we all know that so far, Indonesia has introduced some measures and policy responses 
to the COVID -19 Pandemic. In this connection, Cambodia has submitted a question concerning 
Indonesia's investment framework on the "After Care" mechanism. We would also like to thank in 
advance for Indonesia 's written responses.  
4.349.   Finally, we commit to working closely with Indonesia to strengthen the cooperation including 
the works of the WTO and we wish Indonesia a successful of its 7th Trade Policy Review.  
COSTA  RICA 
4.350.   En nombre del Gobierno de Costa Rica quisiera dar una cordial bienvenida a la delegación 
de Indonesia, encabezada por su Excelencia, el señor Jerry Sambuaga, Viceministro de Comercio, 
así como al equipo de la Misión Permanente de Indonesia ante la OMC a quienes agradecemos su 
informe y la presentación realizada esta mañana. Hago extensivo el agradecimiento también al 
ponente, el Embajador Villalobos de México, por sus valiosos comentarios, y a la Secretaría de la 
OMC por su informe y por su siemp re valioso trabajo.  
4.351.   Pasando ahora al objeto de esta reunión, como Miembro fundador de la OMC, Indonesia ha 
jugado un papel fundamental en la conformación del sistema y continúa teniendo un rol clave en las 
negociaciones para la reforma de la OMC, especialm ente en el área agrícola. En esta área, Costa 
Rica e Indonesia comparten una visión común sobre la importancia del comercio agrícola como 
fuente de empleo y prosperidad, y en conjunto con otros Miembros del Grupo Cairns, en enero de 
este año lanzamos junto s una novedosa propuesta de marco de negociación en ayudas internas de 
cara a la MC12 sobre la que invitamos a otros Miembros a unirse en la generación de nuevos 
consensos en agricultura.  
4.352.   Igualmente, Costa Rica comparte con Indonesia la importancia de apo yar los procesos de 
examen encaminados a facilitar un mejor funcionamiento y una mejor aplicación del Acuerdo sobre WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 47 - 
 
  Medidas Sanitarias y Fitosanitarias, en especial por el impacto de este tipo de medidas sobre el 
comercio de productos tropicales.  
4.353.   Costa Ric a también ve de forma positiva la incorporación de Indonesia a la Declaración 
Conjunta sobre el Comercio Electrónico, su participación en el Grupo de Trabajo sobre MiPymes y su 
trabajo activo en las negociaciones sobre subvenciones a la pesca, área en la q ue debemos empujar 
por resultados concretos lo más pronto posible. También celebramos la ratificación del Acuerdo sobre 
Facilitación del Comercio en diciembre de 2017 y la notificación de las categorías de compromisos 
para aplicar el AFC y las obligaciones  en materia de transparencia por parte de Indonesia en el 2018.  
4.354.   A nivel doméstico, Indonesia ha tenido una gestión macroeconómica sólida desde su último 
examen de política comercial. Según el informe de la Secretaría, previo a la pandemia el país 
mostraba tasas de crecimiento cercanas superiores al 5% anual; con un mercado laboral dinámico 
con una tasa de desempleo a la baja cercana al 5%; una inflación baja y un entorno presupuestario 
con un déficit fiscal manejable. Recalcamos de forma positiva la reorien tación del gasto pública para 
pasar de subvenciones a la energía ineficientes, hacia inversiones productivas en infraestructura, y 
el esfuerzo del Gobierno indonesio por liberalizar y simplificar su régimen de IED.  
4.355.   A nivel comercial, Indonesia muestra una  relación sumamente dinámica con sus socios 
comerciales, mediante el establecimiento de acuerdos comerciales bilaterales y regionales exitosos. 
El reporte de la Secretaría destaca la estructura arancelaria sencilla, con tipos arancelarios 
ad valorem en el 99,8% de los casos. Por otro lado, se observa un alto grado de incertidumbre en 
el Arancel, tanto por la no consolidación de un 10,5% de las líneas arancelarias, como por el 
incremento de los aranceles aplicados en los últimos años. Llama la atención que 9 9 línea 
arancelarias se ubican por encima de sus tipos consolidados. Al respecto, instamos a Indonesia a 
mejorar la predictibilidad de su sistema arancelario y a alinear su Arancel con sus compromisos 
consolidados ante la OMC.  
4.356.   Indonesia también enfrenta i mportantes retos de largo plazo; incluyendo tomar ventaja de 
su bono demográfico mediante política educativas agresivas que permitan incrementar la 
productividad y la capacidad de innovación de su población. Indonesia también enfrenta rigidices 
estructural es que limitan su capacidad para beneficiarse activamente de una mayor integración al 
comercio mundial. En esa línea, damos la bienvenida a los esfuerzos desplegados por el gobierno 
indonesio para implementar el Acuerdo sobre Facilitación de Comercio, simp lificar y racionalizar el 
régimen reglamentario - en especial para las pequeñas empresas - y diversificar la economía. Por 
otro lado, notamos que Indonesia sigue recurriendo a prohibiciones, restricciones, impuestos a la 
exportación, licencias de exportació n y otras medidas en frontera como instrumentos de política que 
tienen un efecto sobre el comercio y la inversión. Instamos a Indonesia a revisar estas medidas para 
que mantengan un enfoque de facilitación del comercio siempre que sea posible.  
4.357.   En el marco de este examen, Costa Rica no presentó preguntas. Sin embargo, mantenemos 
un profundo interés en las políticas nacionales que está desarrollando Indonesia en materia de 
atracción de IED, desarrollo del sector agrícola, y promoción de las exportaciones de s ervicios, 
incluyendo el sector turístico, y seguiremos con interés la implementación de sus políticas de 
adaptación al cambio climático, especialmente en lo referente a la sostenibilidad agrícola, pesquera 
y energética.  
4.358.   Por último, quisiera agradecer una v ez más a Indonesia por su reporte y la presentación 
realizada el día de hoy, y le deseamos grandes éxitos en este séptimo Examen de políticas 
comerciales.  
VIET  NAM 
4.359.   On behalf of Viet Nam 's delegation, I would like to extend our warmest welcome to the 
distinguished delegation of the Republic of Indonesia led by His Excellency Jerry Adhitya Ksatria 
Sambuaga, Vice Minister of Trade. I would like to thank the Government of Indonesia and the WTO 
Secretariat for the preparation of comprehensive reports for this T rade Policy Review, especially 
under the circumstances of the COVID -19 pandemic. My thanks also go to Discussant H.E. Ángel 
Villalobos Rodríguez, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Mexico, for the insightful 
observations and introduction.  WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 48 - 
 
  4.360.   Viet Nam ass ociates itself with the ASEAN statement delivered by Malaysia and would like 
to add the following points.  
4.361.   First, Viet Nam commends Indonesia and wishes to highlight the advancements Indonesia 
has made during the review period. As noted by the WTO Secretari at in its report, Indonesia is the 
largest economy in Southeast Asia (accounting for 35% of the region's GDP). With the 4th biggest 
world population, Indonesia has performed well and enjoyed sound economic growth over the past 
six years, with an average an nual GDP growth rate of 5.1% from 2013 to 2019, despite the 
increasing global uncertainties, trade tensions.  
4.362.   Second, bilaterally Indonesia has been one of the most significant trading partners of 
Viet Nam within the ASEAN bloc in recent years. In the peri od of 2013 -2019, our bilateral trade 
turnover grew 9.4% year on year. Viet Nam 's major export items to Indonesia are iron and steel of 
all types, machinery, equipment, components, other spare parts, textiles, leather and footwear 
materials, just to name a few. Viet Nam 's imports from Indonesia mainly vegetable and animal oils, 
coal of all types; iron and steel.  
4.363.   In the first 10 months of 2020, the bilateral trade has seen a considerable drop, with the 
total amount of USD 6.53 billion, or 12.3% less than the  same period in 2019. The key reason for 
the drop has been the COVID -19 pandemic. However, a number of measures taken by Indonesia 
also raised some concerns. Within the ASEAN framework, Viet Nam, is working closely with Indonesia 
to find solutions for thes e issues.  
4.364.   Third, from regional integration and co -operation perspective, we would like to thank the 
Government of Indonesia for the close and efficient cooperation, particularly with ASEAN member 
States as well as the other 5 partner countries for the rec ent conclusion of negotiations and signing 
of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement on 15 November 2020, 
which sent a clear message on the region 's determination to continue trade liberalization. We hope 
that implementation of th e RCEP Agreement will facilitate the development of the regional supply 
chains as well as contribute to the socio -economic recovery from the COVID -19 pandemic 's impacts.  
4.365.   Fourth, on the multilateral front, we would like to commend Indonesia 's constructive e fforts 
in defending and preserving the multilateral trading system, in particular upholding its WTO 's 
obligations and commitments, and actively participating in various multilateral and plurilateral 
negotiations.  
4.366.   And last but not least, I would like to tak e this opportunity to commend Ambassador Syamsul 
Bahri Siregar and his able team for the excellent preparation for this Review, as well as their 
constructive contribution and engagement in the WTO activities. We wish Indonesia a successful 
Trade Policy Rev iew. 
LAO PDR 
4.367.   At the outset, Lao PDR associates itself with the statement made by Malaysia on behalf of 
the ASEAN.  
4.368.   It is a great pleasure to welcome H.E. Dr Jerry Sambuaga, Vice Minister of Trade of Indonesia 
and his delegation for its Trade Policy Review.  
4.369.   Lao PDR would like to sincerely commend Indonesia for the excellent performance in terms 
of maintaining strong Economic growth, which has been steady increasing by an annual average 
rate of 5.0% per year in the period of 2015 -2018.  
4.370.   Lao PDR also congratulates Indonesia for its important role in the multilateral trading 
system, especially for its active participation in all activities including the important work which is 
the priority to ASEAN framework. We commend and thank the delega tion of Indonesia in Geneva 
led by H.E.  Ambassador Syamsul Bahri Siregar and his team for their good cooperation and excellent 
hard work.  
4.371.   Lao PDR and Indonesia have developed bilateral, friendship and cooperation and have 
reached an agreement in enhancing  relations to focus on exploring the potential of both nations to WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 49 - 
 
  cooperate on trade and investment. The two sides have also worked together in cooperation with 
other ASEAN nations to ensure a great success of ASEAN Economic Community implementation.  
4.372.   Regionally, we have worked together on many efforts towards ASEAN's economic 
integration, both internally and externally in the negotiations of trade agreements.  
4.373.   As for the multilateral level, Indonesia is a reliable partner. It is clear that we share similar  
perspectives on trade liberalization , and it is of the view that Indonesia has played outstanding role 
in contributing for an importance of a rules -based multilateral trading system.  
4.374.   We are of the view that this TPR will provide an important opportunity f or Indonesia to review 
its trade policy in making a great achievement for the international trade and also to provide an 
important platform for Lao PDR to explore the possibility in improving bilateral trade relation with 
Indonesia.  
4.375.   Lao PDR is confident t hat Indonesia will achieve its target to reach the economic expansion 
of 2020 to 2024 and we hope that Indonesia will be able to increase its Ease of Doing of Business 
(EoDB) from rank 73 in 2018 to Rank 40 in 2024 by its structural reform efforts, particu larly in 
addressing deregulation of Investment Procedure.  
4.376.   In conclusion, we would like to commend and thank Indonesia for the close cooperation 
between our two Missions here in Geneva and wish Indonesia a great success for its Trade Policy 
Review.  
MAURITI US 
4.377.   Let me start by welcoming the delegation of Indonesia, led by H.E. Sambuaga, Vice Minister 
of Trade, and congratulating his team for the seventh TPR of their country. I also wish to seize this 
opportunity to thank both Ambassador Aspelund, Chair of the TPRB, and the discussant, 
H.E. Mr. Angel Villalobos Rodriguez for kick starting the discussions today by their interesting 
statements which highlighted the salient features of the trade policy measures taken by Indonesia 
during the period under review and the proactive role in the multilateral trading system.  
4.378.   My thanks also go to all colleagues at the Secretariat for ensuring that the WTO continues 
to play its role of monitoring trade policies of its members despite the difficult conditions due to the 
COVID -19 pandemic. At a time when the world is still struggling with the consequences of the 
pandemic, a rule -based multilateral trading system remain crucial for predictability and 
transparency.  
4.379.   The Mauritius delegation notes that the recent economic progress of Indonesia rests on trade 
related structural reforms, enhancement of industrial competitiveness, and improvement of 
investment climate among others. We, therefore, commend the positive trade policy measures taken 
by Indonesia during the period under revi ew and its adoption of good regulatory practices including 
regulatory impact assessment policies.  
4.380.   We appreciate the continuous efforts of the Indonesian authorities to implement the Trade 
Facilitation Agreement and the introduction of relevant reforms to i mprove cross border trade which 
has proved to be crucial during the pandemic and remain so for post pandemic recovery.  
4.381.   The Mauritian delegation is also pleased to note that Indonesia has acceded to several IP 
related treaties including the Madrid Agreement  concerning the International Registration of Marks. 
As a small island developing state, Mauritius believes that intellectual property can be a tool to drive 
innovation and creativity that would contribute to economic development. Mauritius looks forward 
to the cooperation of Indonesia in our endeavour towards promoting innovation.  
4.382.   As indicated in the Report, we recognize that Indonesia is facing some challenges. While we 
understand that import restrictions are put in place to address legitimate public inte rests, sometimes 
licences could also represent an unnecessary barrier to trade, we encourage Indonesia to consider 
relaxing certain licensing requirements to facilitate trade flows.  WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 50 - 
 
  4.383.   Relations between Mauritius and Indonesia date back to at least the sevent eenth century 
when Adrian Van Der Stel, a Dutch settler brought red sugarcane to the island of Mauritius from 
Java. This had a huge influenced on our countries socio -economic fabric subsequently as decades 
later sugar sold in the international market becam e our main foreign exchange earner and the engine 
of our country 's economic growth. More recently, trade exchange has witnessed very encouraging 
signs as the value of trade has almost doubled over the last five years, the balance being largely in 
favour of  our Indonesian friends though.  
4.384.   We look forward to further deepening our ties with Indonesia on the bilateral and regional 
fronts. In this regard, we hope that the recently concluded visa exemption agreement would further 
facilitate movement of people, inc luding businessmen, and help boost trade and investment between 
our two countries. The Preferential Trade Agreement being negotiated, currently, will no doubt add 
a very strong pillar to our relations. Furthermore, as Africa looks forward to upscaling its engagement 
with major partners, especially following the recently launched African Continental Free Trade Area, 
we hope that Indonesian businesses will establish regional value chains, with Mauritius being a 
strong link in this context.  
4.385.   Let me conclude by wishing the delegation of Indonesia a successful and fruitful Review.  
AFGHANISTAN  
4.386.   Afghanistan extends its gratitude to you and the Secretariat for convening this meeting and 
for preparing the comprehensive report. I would like to thank our discussant Ambas sador Ángel 
Villalobos Rodríguez of Mexico, for his insightful remarks and welcome Indonesia 's capital and 
Geneva -based delegates to the meeting, led by H.E. Jerry Sambuaga.  
4.387.   In particular, we wish to extend our congratulations to Indonesia for its 7th Trad e Policy 
Review, especially, to His Excellency Ambassador Hasan Kleib, Permanent Representative of the 
Republic of Indonesia to the UN, WTO and other International Organizations in Geneva, and his 
competent team for their contribution and constant good wor k here in Geneva. I would also like to 
take this opportunity to congratulate Ambassador Kleib for his appointment as the Deputy Director 
General for Regional and National Development Sector of the World Intellectual Property 
Organization.  
4.388.   My delegation com mends Indonesia for presenting its comprehensive trade policy report. 
We are impressed to note that between 2015 -2018, the expansion of domestic economic activities 
resulted in the creation of an additional 9 million jobs, the unemployment rate fell to 5.3 4% in 2018, 
and the GDP per capita continued to increase from USD 3,531 in 2014 to USD 3,927 in 2018.  
4.389.   The steady economic growth of Indonesia with an average rate of 5.0% per year is 
impressive, which is the result of the implementation of various structur al reforms, including policies 
that improve the investment climate, enhance industrial competitiveness, upgrade logistics 
efficiency, stimulate export, promote tourism, and strengthen people's purchasing power. We are 
pleased to note that despite the ongoi ng global economic turmoil that has caused a reduction in 
trade volume and slowed down economic growth, the Indonesian economy managed to demonstrate 
a positive performance up to the first semester of 2019.  
4.390.   We thank Indonesia for their support and assistan ce with Afghanistan in various sectors, 
including technical training, infrastructure, women 's empowerment, higher education and diplomats 
training. In 2012, our countries signed a treaty of friendship to promotes cooperation in political, 
economic and trad e, academic, education and cultural sectors.  
4.391.   I would also like to take this opportunity to highlight Indonesia 's positive role in emerging 
economic and trade -related issues of importance to the developing country Members and the 
least-developed country Mem bers, within the WTO. We join Indonesia in encouraging Members to 
continue negotiating the Doha Development Agenda as mandated. We also thank Indonesia for their 
participation in aid for trade initiative both as a recipient and donor.  
4.392.   I conclude my stateme nt by wishing Indonesia 's delegation a very successful and productive 
Trade Policy Review.  WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 51 - 
 
  MYANMAR  
4.393.   Myanmar aligns itself with the ASEAN statement made by Malaysia.  
4.394.   I also wish to express our appreciation to His Excellency Ambassador Rodríguez of Mexico 
for his introductory statement on Indonesia 's TPR and the Secretariat for its comprehensive report.  
4.395.   Indonesia is one of the Founding Members of ASEAN in 1967. Indonesia has been playing a 
pivotal role in the advancement of our regional organization ever since.  
4.396.   Indonesia also led a crucial role in charting ASEAN common positions on various global issues 
of common interest, and strengthening ASEAN as a rules -based regional organization.  
4.397.   During the Indonesia 's ASEAN Chairmanship back in 2011, the ASEAN Roadmap for the 
Attainment of the Millennium Development Goals, the ASEAN Framework for Equitable Economic 
Development, and the ASEAN Framework for Comprehensive Economic Partnership were adopted to 
the benefit of our peoples.  
4.398.   Most significantly, the  ASEAN Framework for RCEP charted the General Principles to involve 
broader and deeper engagement with Dialogue Partners and further enhance economic integration 
and cooperation based on mutual interest, transparency and best practices.  
4.399.   Indonesia also play ed a leading role in ASEAN towards the conclusion and signing of the 
Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) on 15 November 2020.  
4.400.   The RCEP will encompass a greater market of 2.2 billion people, and a combined GDP of 
USD 26.2 trillion,  which is 30% of the world 's GDP.  
4.401.   Myanmar and Indonesia celebrated the 70th anniversary of our diplomatic relations last year, 
and will continue to cherish and maintain our friendly relations and mutual beneficial cooperation.  
4.402.   In bilateral trade, major ex ports from Myanmar to Indonesia are metals, minerals, garments 
and agricultural products whereas the major import items from Indonesia are palm oil, motor 
vehicles and spare parts, machineries, medicines, iron and steel products.  
4.403.   There still exist potenti als to further expand in agri -business, animal husbandry, food and 
beverage, construction material, textile and handicrafts.  
4.404.   Bilateral trade between our two countries was amounted to USD 1 billion in 2018, which 
reflected the milestone and new chapter of M yanmar -Indonesia trade relations.  
4.405.   According to the Statistics for the year 2019 -2020, Indonesia ranks the 8th major trading 
partner of Myanmar and the 13th major investor in the country.  
4.406.   We wish to commend and congratulate Indonesia for its firm commitment  towards the 
multilateral trading system.  
4.407.   For instance, Indonesia has been, over the years, pro -active in WTO negotiations in the 
areas of agriculture, non -agriculture market access, trade and environment, trade facilitation, 
fisheries, e -commerce and inve stment facilitation for development, among others.  
4.408.   Most significantly, the WTO Ninth Ministerial Conference, held in Bali, Indonesia in 
December  2013, concluded on the milestone Trade Facilitation Agreement.  
4.409.   We are greatly impressed by the Vision 2045 of Indonesia, in commemorating the 100th 
anniversary of its Independence, to become an advanced, prosperous and developed Nation.  
4.410.   We are confident that with all its concerted efforts, Indonesia will achieve this goal by 2045.  WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 52 - 
 
  4.411.   We look forward to working close ly with Indonesia in bilateral, regional and multilateral arena 
to the benefit of our peoples.  
4.412.   Before concluding, allow me to express our appreciation to H.E. Pak Hassan Kleib, H.E. Pak 
Syamsul Siregar and the Indonesian delegation for their active engagem ent and contribution during 
the TPR.  
4.413.   We also wish you all the best for a successful conclusion of the seventh Trade Policy Review.  
JAMAICA  
4.414.   Jamaica is pleased to be participating in this Seventh Trade Policy Review of Indonesia, and 
wishes to extend, at the  outset, a warm welcome to the distinguished delegation of Indonesia led 
by His Excellency Mr. Jerry Sambuaga, Vice Minister for Trade. In addition, we thank Indonesia for 
the presentation of its insightful and comprehensive Report. We further wish to conv ey our sincere 
appreciation to you Chair, to the WTO Secretariat, as well as to our discussant, Ambassador 
Villalobos Rodriguez of Mexico, for your valuable contributions to his process.  
4.415.   Jamaica commends Indonesia for the progress made since its last revie w in 2013. Despite 
external challenges, the Indonesian economy grew, during the reporting period, at an average of 
5% per annum which was unprecedented for developing countries globally. This was as a result of 
the strong macroeconomic and fiscal policies pursued by the Government, as well as key structural 
reforms. In addition, actions taken by the Government to improve the investment climate, enhance 
industrial competitiveness, upgrade logistics efficiency, stimulate exports and to boost the services 
sector - which is the country 's main economic driver, are also positively acknowledged. We note that 
based on these factors, the fall -out from the COVID -19 pandemic is expected to be a minimal 1%, 
with the Indonesian economy set to rebound by 5.3% in 2021.  
4.416.   Jamaica greatly values the bonds of friendship and cooperation which it shares with 
Indonesia. In the field of trade, Jamaica 's major imports from Indonesia consisted primarily of food 
items, chemicals and manufactured goods. There is however strong interest  to bolster the existing 
trade exchange with Indonesia, including through increased exports of Jamaican niche sauces, 
condiments and other food products, as well as through fostering enhanced collaboration in the 
agriculture, agri -business, and the Informa tion and Communications Technology sectors.   
4.417.   As a result of Indonesia 's positive economic performance and resilience, the country, which 
is the largest economy in Southeast Asia and 10th in the world in terms of purchasing power parity, 
was reclassified by  the World Bank as an upper -middle income country in July 2020. As outlined in 
its national development Plan, Indonesia is also seeking to achieve developed country status by the 
time of its centenary celebration in 2045. We take positive note of the impor tant role played by 
governmental policy and reforms, including in the area of trade, in providing an enabling 
environment and furthering Indonesia 's growth and development objectives.  
4.418.   As a founding Member of the WTO, Indonesia has increasingly sought to f ulfil its 
corresponding obligations and has remained actively engaged in the work of the Organization, 
including on issues relating to services, agriculture, fisheries and non -agricultural market access, 
among others.  
4.419.   Jamaica joins in congratulating Indone sia on the establishment of its National Committee on 
Trade Facilitation, as well as on its ongoing efforts to advance the implementation of the Trade 
Facilitation (TF) Agreement and its related provisions. We further note the progress made by the 
Indonesi an Government to strengthen its domestic regime for the protection of intellectual property 
rights, including through the development of a database for genetic resources and traditional 
knowledge.  
4.420.   Indonesia has also been seeking to increase its participation in the negotiation of a range of 
bilateral and regional free trade agreements with key partners within ASEAN and beyond. However, 
more needs to be done to strengthen the openness of the Indonesi an economy to international trade 
and to facilitate its enhanced integration into global value chains. We also note for commendation, 
the efforts undertaken by Indonesia, during the review period, to liberalize and streamline the WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 53 - 
 
  regulatory and other aspec ts of its Foreign Direct Investment regime, and urge that these be 
continued.  
4.421.   In conclusion, Jamaica once more commends Indonesia on its report and extends best 
wishes to the delegation for a successful Review.  
EGYPT  
4.422.   Egypt joins others in extending a very warm welcome to the esteemed delegation from 
Jakarta, headed by His Excellency Mr. Jerry Adhitya Ksatria Sambuaga, Vice Minister of Trade. We 
thank the Government of Indonesia and the WTO Secretariat for their comprehensive reports, as 
well as His Excellen cy Ambassador Angel Villalobos Rodríguez (of Mexico) for his insightful remarks 
as discussant.  
4.423.   Egypt wishes to highlight Indonesia 's commendable macroeconomic performance during the 
review period. The WTO Secretariat 's report indicates that Indonesia achieved strong annual GDP 
growth at an average of 5.1, while slashing inflation to less than half compared to 2013, reducing 
unemployment, narrowing current account deficits, and increasing foreign exchange reserves.  
4.424.   Much of this success owes to  implementing sound macroeconomic policies coupled with 
several trade -related structural reforms to enhance productivity and competitiveness, including 
though improving the investment climate, accelerating infrastructural development and encouraging 
econom ic diversification. Also, the measures taken to help mitigate the adverse impacts of the 
COVID -19 pandemic in Indonesia, are also expected to contribute to the prospects for a sturdy 
recovery.  
4.425.   Egypt acknowledges Indonesia 's continued commitment to the mult ilateral trading system. 
The WTO Secretariat 's report highlights a few examples in this regard, such as ratifying the Trade 
Facilitation Agreement in December 2017 and implementing several relevant measures in conformity 
with the agreement. In addition, In donesia continued submitting notifications regarding 
developments in its trade -related policies.  
4.426.   Moreover, Indonesia 's commitment to the multilateral trading system is demonstrated by its 
constructive engagement in various WTO negotiations, as well as its  leading role as the coordinator 
of the G33 in agriculture negotiations. Nonetheless, Egypt notes Indonesia 's imposition of applied 
tariffs that exceed its bound tariffs for a number of tariff lines, and we encourage Indonesia to 
comply with its commitment s under Article 2 of the GATT.  
4.427.   Egypt and Indonesia enjoy profound political, economic and cultural relations. Our strong 
commercial ties are reflected in steady values of bilateral trade. In 2018, bilateral trade exceeded 
USD 1.1 billion, with Egyptian non -oil exports to Indonesia witnessing a 19% increase compared to 
2017. However, 2019 witnessed a slight dip in bilateral trade and Egyptian exports to Indonesia by 
1.6% and 2.2%, respectively.   
4.428.   We believe that much potential remains untapped. In this contex t, Egypt invites Indonesia 
to review Regulation No. 39 of the Minister of Agriculture concerning Horticultural Product Import 
Recommendation, with a view to facilitate and accelerate the importation process, in order not to 
impose additional burden on expo rters, especially from developing countries.  
4.429.   Egypt looks forward to strengthening bilateral cooperation between both countries, 
particularly through advancing commercial and investment relations, to mutually reinforce our 
development priorities.  
4.430.   Finally, E gypt applauds Indonesia for its impressive overall economic performance in recent 
years, and wishes its delegation a successful and fruitful Trade Policy Review.  
BRUNEI  DARUSSALAM  
4.431.   I would like to begin by welcoming the delegation from Indonesia, and in par ticular Vice 
Minister for Trade, Mr. Jerry Sambuaga, the head of delegation, for his presentation. I would also 
like to thank the Secretariat for preparing their detailed report, and H.E. Ambassador Ángel Villalobos WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 54 - 
 
  Rodríguez, Ambassador and Permanent Repr esentative of Mexico to the WTO, for the clear overview 
of both reports under discussion.  
4.432.   At the outset, Brunei Darussalam associates itself with the statement delivered by Malaysia 
on behalf of ASEAN.  
4.433.   Indonesia has achieved much during the period under review, which has led to a steady GDP 
growth of 5.1% from 2013 –2019, a significant decrease in inflation to 3% by 2019, and the lowering 
of unemployment rates to 5% also by 2019.  
4.434.   As has been mentioned by others, Indonesia is "the world's fourth most popul ous nation, 
the world's 10th largest economy in terms of purchasing power parity, an emerging lower middle -
income country, and the largest economy in Southeast Asia ". But for Brunei Darussalam, we know 
Indonesia as a close neighbour and friend.  
4.435.   Together, we have much in common from shared elements of our culture, language and 
history. We are also members of many of the same organizations such as ASEAN, the WTO, APEC, 
the OIC, NAM, the UN and many more.  
4.436.   Having shared goals and values has resulted in strong  bilateral relations, and 
Brunei  Darussalam and Indonesia have maintained high levels of cooperation across various sectors 
such as trade and investment, MSMEs, tourism, agriculture, marine and fisheries, health, labour, 
defence, transnational crimes, educ ation, youth, culture and people -to-people contacts.  
4.437.   However, there is more potential to increase trade between our two countries as trade flow 
remains in Indonesia 's favour. Specifically, exports from Brunei to Indonesia lowered to 
BND 52.4 million in 201 9, while imports from Indonesia to Brunei increased to BND 178.3 million in 
2019. In particular, Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia have strengthened cooperation in rice 
production in the past few years and a direct shipping line was also introduced in 2019 t o expedite 
shipping durations and further boost trade between our two countries.  
4.438.   Regionally, we work closely together particularly as fellow ASEAN member States. Indonesia 
is not just one of the founding members of ASEAN, but in fact also suggested the nam e for our 
organization back in 1967, and this spirit of leadership is pervasive even today as they often lead 
the way in various activities of regional integration.  
4.439.   In particular, we would like to commend Indonesia for its leadership role during the RCEP 
negotiations, resulting in the signing of the FTA last month on the 15 November 2020. Some studies 
have shown that once implemented, RCEP could add USD 209 billion annually to world incomes, and 
USD 500 billion to world trade by 2030. The RCEP is therefore  not just ASEAN 's biggest free trade 
agreement, but is the biggest free trade agreement in the world, representing 30% of global GDP.  
4.440.   Brunei Darussalam shares Indonesia 's commitment to the multilateral trading system, and 
to its views on the relevance of d evelopment elements as an integral part of the international trade, 
as well as of the importance of reform to maintain the WTO as the backbone of the multilateral 
trading system.  
4.441.   In this regard, Brunei Darussalam assures that we will continue to work toge ther with 
Indonesia and the rest of the WTO membership on this, and to aid efforts to ensure a global economic 
recovery in response to the COVID -19 pandemic.  
4.442.   In closing, Brunei Darussalam would like to take this opportunity to recognize the 
contributions of Ambassador Hassan who will be leaving us soon, H.E. Miss Grata Werdaningtyas, 
H.E. Pak Syamsul Siregar and the rest of their team, as well as the Indonesian delegation appearing 
virtually from capital, and wish them all the best for a successful conclus ion of this their 7th Trade 
Policy Review.  
ZIMBABWE  
4.443.   Allow me to warmly welcome the Delegation of Indonesia led by Honourable Jerry 
Sambuaga , Vice Minister of Trade, to this 7th Trade Policy Review of his country. We are grateful to WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 55 - 
 
  the efforts made by Indonesia in the preparation for this Review. We would also like to express our 
appreciation to the Secretariat and the discussant, H.E. Ambass ador Rodríguez of Mexico, for their 
contribution to this review process.  
4.444.   Zimbabwe commends Indonesia for implementing a number of fiscal incentives, and 
demonstrated serious efforts in simplifying investment regulations and procedures to improve the 
invest ment climate, along with developing supporting infrastructure to facilitate a higher level of 
business activities.  
4.445.   Furthermore, we wish to commend Indonesia, since its last Review, for the country 's 
demonstrated commitment to the multilateral trading system. During the review period, Indonesia 
improved its WTO commitments by ratifying the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), an agreement 
which was reached on its beautiful island of Bali. At the same time, it continued to focus on 
strengthening regional economic integration ties, through the implementation, and participation in 
the negotiation, of several ASEAN agreements, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic 
Partnership (RCEP).  
4.446.   On the bilate ral trade front, Indonesia and Zimbabwe have been engaged through an 
Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement since 1992. We established a joint commission for 
bilateral cooperation in 2015, with a view to enhancing our bilateral cooperation.  
4.447.   Although  bilateral trade is still relatively small, there is considerable potential in that area. 
Since 2012 to date, Zimbabwe has had negative trade balances with Indonesia. Although we had 
economic challenges in the recent years, major exports to Indonesia have included, during that time, 
tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes, iron and steel, ores, slag and ash and cotton. 
Imports from Indonesia include plastics and plastic articles, animal or vegetable fats and oils; 
prepared edible fats; animal, rubber a nd articles, special woven fabrics; tufted textile fabrics; lace; 
trimmings; embroidery and man -made staple fibres.  
4.448.   The products with greatest export potential from Zimbabwe to Indonesia are 
ferro-chromium, raw cane sugar, and cotton.  
4.449.   Zimbabwe is very keen  to strengthen bilateral, commercial relations with Indonesia, and we 
are working to realize this vision between our two countries.  
4.450.   In conclusion, we wish Indonesia a successful Trade Policy Review.  
REPÚBLICA  DOMINICANA  
4.451.   En primer lugar, deseamos saludar la  delegación de Indonesia encabezada por 
S.E. señor  Jerry Sambuaga, así como a los demás Miembros que nos acompañan el día de hoy.  
4.452.   La República Dominicana comparte estrechos lazos de amistad y comerciales con Indonesia. 
El comercio total entre nuestros país es ha venido creciendo en años recientes siendo los productos 
del tabaco, el papel cartón, la celulosa, los muebles y mobiliarios, el café y el té los principales 
productos de importación. Mientras que el cacao, las fundiciones de hierro, productos del tab aco y 
productos médicos siendo los principales productos de exportación.  
4.453.   Nuestros países comparten en nuestra historia económica reciente la gran importancia de 
las exportaciones azucareras. Es menester indicar que en 2019 el comercio entre nuestros países  
superó por primera vez los 100 millones de dólares.  
4.454.   En este su séptimo Examen de políticas comerciales, deseamos felicitar a Indonesia por sus 
fuertes cimientos económicos fundamentados en una economía abierta que le ha permitido lograr 
una tasa media de crecimiento anual del PIB del 5,1% entre los años del estudio. Todo esto 
manteniendo niveles de inflación dentro de los objetivos.  
4.455.   En lo que refiere al estado de la economía de Indonesia, la República Dominicana observa 
con admiración el nivel en el cual l as reservas de divisas registraron un aumento general que se 
sitúa en torno al 30% en el periodo estudiado, llegando en 2019 al 11,5% del PIB.  WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 56 - 
 
  4.456.   El pasado mes de noviembre, la República Dominicana fue sede de la novena reunión de 
Ministros de relaciones exte riores del Foro de Cooperación América Latina -Asia del Este (FOCALAE) 
donde participaron 32 países incluyendo Indonesia. Dicho foro fue una oportunidad para nuestro 
país conocer más a fondo sobre las políticas comerciales y de inversión de este país.  
4.457.   Finalmente, queremos agradecer la oportuna respuesta de Indonesia a las preguntas 
realizadas por la República Dominicana.  
NEPAL  
4.458.   First, my delegation would like to welcome the delegation of Indonesia under the leadership 
of H.E. Mr. Sambuaga, Vice Minister of Tr ade and would like to appreciate to him for the 
comprehensive opening remarks. My delegation would also like to extend sincere appreciation to 
H.E. Ambassador Rodríguez, Permanent Representative of Mexico to the WTO, for his insightful 
remarks as a discuss ant in this process. My delegation wishes to congratulate the Government of 
Indonesia for its comprehensive report and, also would like to commend the Secretariat for its 
detailed report of the trade policy of Indonesia.  
4.459.   While going through the reports, i t is observed that Indonesia has taken remarkable forward 
steps to improve its trade and economic policies over the past few years.  
4.460.   Solid economic growth, sustainable development, good progress in job creation, reducing 
poverty in a single digit, significant reduction in inequality are some of the impressive achievement.  
4.461.   My delegation would also like to recall the historical moment of the WTO Ministerial 
Conference held in Bali in 2013 hosted by the Government of Indonesia where the Trade Facilitat ion 
Agreement was concluded. I sincerely appreciate the high level of commitment shown by Indonesia 
to the rule based multilateral trading system.  
4.462.   Nepal and Indonesia have been enjoying cordial relationship in various dimensions of 
socio-economic and cultu ral development since long back in particular since the Afro -Asian 
Conference of Non -Aligned Movement in Bandung in 1955 where both attended as founding 
members of NAM.  
4.463.   Our friendship has been further strengthened after establishing the diplomatic relation  in 
1960.  
4.464.   Such a relationship is not limited to government to government level but widely expanded 
to business to business as well as people to people level in all aspects of human life.   
4.465.   Nepal and Indonesia have been bound by commonality of culture and s hared values. The 
bilateral relations are marked by strong friendship, goodwill and understanding between the two 
countries.  
4.466.   Nepal and Indonesia have been very cooperative and supportive to each other in regional 
and international forums.  
4.467.   Indonesia is on e of the major trade partners of Nepal particularly in importing goods from 
abroad where Indonesia is the third largest exporter of goods in Nepal.  
4.468.   Based on the preliminary data available, Nepal imported various goods from Indonesia worth 
of 29.3 billion Nepali rupees in the year 2019. However, Nepal exported to Indonesia worth of only 
130 million Nepali rupees in the same year.  
4.469.   This shows a huge trade gap between Nepal and Indonesia. This also indicates an availability 
of further opportunity to collabora te and work together both in trade and investment areas for our 
mutual benefit.  
4.470.   Nepal wishes to constructively engage to continue our partnership focusing on reducing the 
existing trade gap between us and strengthening our relation further.  WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 57 - 
 
  4.471.   My delegation wishes for a successful Trade Policy Review of Indonesia.  
NEW  ZEALAND  
4.472.   New Zealand welcomes the opportunity to comment on the seventh Trade Policy Review of 
Indonesia. Since its last review in 2013, there have been significant developments in the  bilateral 
relationship. Most notably, New Zealand and Indonesia 's relationship was elevated to a 
Comprehensive Partnership in 2018. As Comprehensive Partners, New Zealand and Indonesia 's 
partnership continues to grow and strengthen in all areas of the rel ationship.  
4.473.   New Zealand 's trade and investment relationship with Indonesia is robust. Indonesia is 
currently New Zealand 's 15th largest trading partner. Indonesia and New Zealand have a total 
two-way trade of NZ$2.38 billion. In 2016 our respective leaders set the ambitious goal of reaching 
a two -way trade target of NZ$4 billion (IDR 40 trillion) by 2024. To reach this target, Indonesia and 
New Zealand will need to work together to reduce trade barriers and focus on trade recovery. A 
critical part of this is  ensuring that effective and stable regulations are adhered to in a consistent 
manner. In unprecedented times as a result of COVID -19, it is more important than ever that we 
continue to remain committed to rules -based, free and open trade.  
4.474.   New Zealand and  Indonesia have become recent signatories to the Regional Comprehensive 
Economic Partnership (RCEP). The successful implementation of RCEP will bring both New Zealand 
and Indonesia economic benefits.  
4.475.   New Zealand has raised questions during this review wit h regards to Indonesia 's agricultural 
policies. We acknowledge the steps that have been taken by Indonesia towards improving 
agricultural trade settings and highlight the opportunity for increasing trade facilitating measures. 
We encourage Indonesia to str engthen reforms to remove barriers and to ensure that the processes 
and procedures are well -communicated, transparent and provide a commercially reliable setting for 
agricultural trade.  
4.476.   New Zealand acknowledges Indonesia 's active engagement in the WTO nego tiations on 
harmful fisheries subsidies. We hope we can count on Indonesia 's ongoing and constructive 
participation to reach an agreement by end 2020, in accordance with the mandate set by Leaders in 
Sustainable Development Goal target 14.6. New Zealand al so acknowledges the recent and 
significant steps Indonesia has taken to combat IUU within its EEZ. We also welcome Indonesia 's 
2019 notification of various fisheries domestic support measures under the GATT and ASCM. 
Notification of such measures makes an important contribution to increasing the overall transparency 
of fisheries support measures globally.  
4.477.   New Zealand congratulates Indonesia on undertaking significant policy changes of its 
domestic fossil fuel subsidies. We welcome Indonesia 's commitment to increasing renewable energy 
to 23% out of its total energy mix by 2025 and 31% by 2050. New Zealand supports Indonesia 's 
renewable energy goals and wants to help Indonesia achieve success.  
4.478.   New Zealand invites Indonesia to share its experience and informat ion of its successful 
domestic fossil fuel subsidy reform with other WTO members to advance discussions at the WTO 
aimed at achieving ambitious and effective disciplines on inefficient fossil fuel subsidies that 
encourage wasteful consumption. We encourage  Indonesia to become a signatory of the renewed 
WTO Joint Ministerial Statement on Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform to be presented at the Twelfth 
Ministerial Conference. The Statement seeks the rationalization and phase out of inefficient fossil 
fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption and take fully into account the specific needs 
and conditions of developing countries.  
OMAN  
4.479.   We offer our heartiest welcome to the distinguished delegation of Indonesia headed by 
H.E. the Vice Minister of Trade of Indonesia and we thank him for an excellent and comprehensive 
opening statement.  WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 58 - 
 
  4.480.    Indonesia is an important Member of the WTO. The Sultanate of Oman enjoys excellent 
relations with Indonesia and both countries are members of Organization of Islamic Coopera tion 
(OIC).  
4.481.   The volume of Indonesian investments registered in the Sultanate of Oman until 2019 in 
various sectors (trade, construction, real estate, services) amounted to 1.7 million OMR 
(USD  4.4 million).  
4.482.   The volume of trade exchange between the Sultanat e of Oman and Indonesia for the year 
2019 in exports was OMR 20.7 million (USD 53.8 million), and in imports was OMR 54.1 million 
(USD  140.7 million). We look forward to increasing our bilateral trade relations with Indonesia.  
4.483.   Oman congratulates Indonesia  on its impressive achievements. Since its previous Trade 
Policy Review and prior to the COVID -19 pandemic, despite global challenges, Indonesia's relatively 
strong fundamentals and sound macroeconomic policy ensured solid growth and the resilience of its 
economy.  
4.484.   Indonesia has made efforts to encourage foreign direct investment by simplifying the foreign 
direct investment system in several areas, and has brought Indonesia's foreign direct investment 
system closer to international and regional levels of op enness.  
4.485.   Indonesia has also successfully followed the policy of diversification of its economy. The 
Agriculture continues to play an important role in the economy. Fisheries' contribution to GDP 
increased slightly (2.8% in 2019), with aquaculture's importan ce and fish stocks on the rise. Mining 
and energy continue to make significant contributions to the economy. Manufacturing remains an 
important activity in terms of its contribution to the economy (20.5% of GDP in 2019) and exports 
(45.8% in 2019). The gro wth of the services sector is contributing to increased diversification and 
broad -based growth from 42.6% in 2013 to 46.1% in 2019.  
4.486.   The foreign trade regime of Indonesia is very liberal, open, transparent and predictable. It 
conforms fully to the principle s and rules of the WTO. Indonesia made efforts to encourage FDI and 
brought Indonesia's FDI regime closer to international and regional levels of openness. More 
specifically, it included, inter alia, the opening of full foreign ownership business lines (ma ritime and 
fishery, energy and mineral resources, industry, public works, trade, tourism and creative economy, 
transportation, communication and informatics, and health). In addition, it removed the need for 
specific recommendation requirements from the re levant ministries for some business lines.  
4.487.   Indonesia also made main trade facilitation developments by implementing 80% of its 
commitments, and several changes to intellectual property (IP) laws and regulations.  
4.488.   Indonesia is faithfully adhering to the rule s and disciplines of the WTO and is abiding by its 
commitments under the multilateral trade agreements. Its policies and practices have a positive 
impact on the functioning of the multilateral trading system.  
4.489.   To conclude, the Sultanate of Oman wishes Indo nesia a very successful Trade Policy Review.  
  WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 59 - 
 
  5  REPLIES BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF INDONESIA AND ADDITIONAL COMMENTS  
Introduction  
5.1.  It gives me great pleasure to be here again in our House to resume Indonesia's seventh Trade 
Policy Review meeting. I would like to start by expressing our thanks to Ambassador Aspelund as 
the Chairman of the TPR Body, and Ambassador Rodríguez of Mexico as  our discussant, for a 
productive day -1 of Indonesia's Trade Policy Review two days ago. I also wish to thank the WTO 
Secretariat and translators for their supports of this Review.  
5.2.  I wish to thank all Member States who have shown their great interests in I ndonesia, especially 
concerning the journey Indonesia has taken during the review period, some achievements and 
challenges therein, and the aspirations the Government of Indonesia has in order to bring the nation 
into a better future. It should be clear to  us by now that Indonesia is a "moving picture," rather than 
a "snapshot," as this largest archipelagic country on earth is aspired to play a bigger role in the 
Global Value Chain, and therefore is willing to listen to Member States' inputs on how Indonesi a may 
best achieve its aspiration.  
5.3.  As I mentioned two days ago, Indonesia received around 890 advanced questions from more 
than 30 Member States. As of today, Indonesia manages to respond to almost three fourth of those 
questions, and we will do our best to respond to the remaining ones within the timeframe agreed 
upon under the prevailing rules of the WTO.  
Responses to Questions and Interventions by the Member States  
5.4.  We are pleased to note that the Member States offered positive remarks on Indonesia's solid 
growth and sustained development during the review period. We also welcome some concerns raised 
by Members on certain Indonesia's policies and measures, as well as some points for further 
clarifications.  
5.5.  We will reflect our responses in writing as we finalized our written answers to Members' 
questions. And this morning, I will focus on some issues that appealed to the attention of Members 
during our first -day meetin g. 
5.6.  Some questions were raised on Indonesia's Law on the Assurance of Halal Products, particularly 
concerning the implementation of mandatory labeling requirements both for halal and non -halal 
products. As stated in our notification to the WTO in document G /TBT/N/IDN/123, the purpose of 
the Law is to provide halal assurance and guarantees on products consumed or used by the majority 
of the population.  
5.7.  According to the Law, products that are included in the compulsory halal category must be 
certified and labe led accordingly when entering or being circulated and traded in Indonesia's 
territory. Halal products that have been certified in Indonesia, or by officially recognized foreign halal 
institutions under the mutual recognition scheme with the Government of I ndonesia, must have a 
halal label and registration number attached to the products or their packaging. Meanwhile, for non -
halal products, there should be a picture, sign, or writing on the packaging to be noticed easily by 
Indonesian consumers that the pro ducts are not halal.  
5.8.  Significant numbers of Member States raised specific concerns on Indonesia's import licensing 
requirements which they claimed to be —in effect —a quantitative restriction on import of certain 
products into Indonesia. This notion is contr ary to our objective regarding import licensing 
requirement, as mentioned in the Secretariat Report. The licensing is put in place for justified 
reasons that are allowed by the prevailing WTO rules pertaining to human and plant life and safety, 
environment , moral or religious, and culture as well as national security.  
5.9.  Indonesia believes that all these licensing requirements are necessary. And in the context of 
implementing the recently -adopted Omnibus Law on Job Creation, the Government of Indonesia will 
observe how such licensing requirements meet the administration of the law, which includes the 
principle of good regulatory practices; service level agreement; norms, standards, procedures, and 
criteria; and digitalization of government services.  WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 60 - 
 
  5.10.   We underst and that Local Content Requirement is another area of particular interest to some 
Member States. We also noted that this particular issue has been raised several times at the regular 
meetings of the WTO Committee on TRIMs and the Council for Trade in Goods . To us in Indonesia, 
this is about encouraging domestic products to preserve jobs and support our industries. On this 
note, we are most interested in getting inputs from other Members on how we may learn from "the 
X-Country First Campaign ".  
5.11.   One Member St ate referred this issue to our bilateral talks, where it was noted that Indonesia 
will do a comprehensive review of the local content policies. But in view of the latest development 
in international trade where some Members ban the use or sales of this and  that product from 
particular countries for a reason, Indonesia wishes to have an in -depth discussion in the context of 
trade and investment framework arrangement with that Member State on a without prejudice basis. 
The point my delegation wishes to get ac ross is that we note and understand the concerns and 
objections, and we would like to learn from others on possible different routes of preserving jobs 
and supporting domestic industries at a time when others seem to do the same but in a more 
sophisticated  way. 
5.12.   Indonesia would like to express its high appreciation for all the observations, comments, and 
questions from the Member States concerning the financial services in Indonesia. During the review 
period, Indonesia has made a series of reforms in the fin ancial sector which includes insurance and 
reinsurance, electronic systems of data localization, as well as on fintech. We believe those reforms 
will ease global investors and businesses to expand their businesses in, and with, Indonesia in a 
sector we con sider as a very important lubricant for the development of other sectors of our 
economy.  
5.13.   Some Members have shown specific interests in Indonesia's export tax being imposed on palm 
oil. On this, Indonesia wishes to explain that the tax is imposed only in th e event of palm oil price 
goes beyond the benchmark. This is meant to prevent domestic inflationary pressure due to the 
scarcity of domestic supply for cooking oil and biofuel.  
5.14.   Some Members also conveyed their concerns regarding Indonesia's policy on the export 
prohibition on certain products, notably on mined raw materials. The policy is adopted to conserve 
exhaustible natural resources, and this is acknowledged as a general exception permitted by 
Article  XX of GATT 1994.  
5.15.   We understand that there are som e disciplines on the export ban to be observed. Only when 
certain conditions are met — temporary or otherwise — then a Member State could be allowed to 
prohibit the export of certain products. However, we observe that some countries have recently 
banned th e export of certain products to other countries. The question we have is whether such an 
export ban is permitted under the prevailing provisions in the WTO.  
5.16.   Another perspective my delegation wishes to bring into our discussion under this topic is 
concernin g the Global Value Chain. There should be no question that in the context of playing a role 
in the Global Value Chain, one should not compromise the importance of observing the principles of 
sustainable development. But how about the aspiration of climbing  the ladder of the value chain? 
The operationalization of the concept of the Global Value Chain should not — at least to Indonesia  — 
mean that a country should stay at the current, lower ladder of the chain. If you are producing raw 
materials, for example,  nothing should prevent you to be aspired to process your raw materials into 
value -added intermediate goods. This is the way LDCs and developing countries could climb up the 
Value Chain and develop further their economies based on their own factors of an e ndowment. 
Perhaps this is something we could discuss in another forum, not in the context of the Trade Policy 
Review, but it is important for us to have a better understanding of this particular issue.  
5.17.   If I could touch on the next issue, this is about trad e remedies. We observe that in the last 
25 years of their existence, trade remedy instruments have been used at a tremendous growth rate, 
initiated by all countries: developed, developing, and least -developed ones. Indonesia's trade 
agenda of "keeping the economy open and keep opening the economy " has brought our economy 
to greater exposure to unfair practices of dumping by foreign companies and subsidization by foreign 
governments. As tariffs are lowered and foreign investment is welcomed, it becomes incre asingly 
important for Indonesia to resort to the available measures under the WTO in order to counteract 
such unfair practices. What we are seeking is to provide a level of playing field for domestic industries WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 61 - 
 
  to compete on a fairer basis. Nevertheless, g oing forward, Indonesia is committed to using trade 
remedies more prudently and in compliance with the WTO Anti -Dumping Agreement, the WTO 
Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures, and the WTO Agreement on Safeguards.  
5.18.   Another area of particular interest in our Trade Policy Review is micro, small, and medium 
enterprises or MSMEs. Indonesia believes that there is no single panacea, "one -fits-all" kind of 
approach when it comes to the topic of supporting MSMEs and providing the right eco -system for 
them to benefit from an increasingly globalized world. We have no common approach to MSMEs, 
whether we should look at their assets or number of employees. Clarity on this is a key — if not "the 
key" — to develop multilateral cooperation to support MSMEs ar ound the globe.  
5.19.   This is not to say that Indonesia has not paid special attention to our MSMEs. It is on the 
contrary. The Government of Indonesia has developed some programs to allow further the 
development of our MSMEs in a faster way. In the past, our fo cus was mainly on the provisions of 
training, financing, and promotions to enter national, regional, and international markets. However, 
the COVID -19 situations have prompted the Government to provide digitalized supports and 
facilitate our MSMEs to digita lize their businesses.  
5.20.   The Government of Indonesia is now focusing on three pillars of MSMEs development. These 
pillars are improving MSMEs' capacity and competency including mobile digitalization; providing 
MSME -friendly financing institutions; and enhanc ing stronger coordination amongst ministries and 
agencies to establish the right eco -system for MSMEs. Under these three pillars, we develop six 
strategies, 18 action plans, and 75 activities to support our MSMEs. This year we are targeting 2,500 
MSMEs in 18 Provinces focusing on around 20 MSME products and sectors.  
5.21.   Some Member States made interventions on the limited integration of our economy into the 
Regional and Global Value Chains. I think it is true in the sense that our engagement in Regional 
and Glo bal Value Chains is dominated by a forward linkage rather than a backward linkage with 
other countries. And there are some limitations on us to tilt the balance more toward the backward 
linkage. These limitations are in terms of capacity to process our own  resources, investment in high -
tech industries including in research and development, and the number of workforces with higher 
degrees of education, to name just a few.  
5.22.   Notwithstanding, there is a sign of improvement, and this is being heightened by overal l good 
macro -economic performance in recent years which have attracted foreign businesses to do business 
with and in Indonesia. This brings me to my last point that I wish to mention briefly this morning.  
5.23.   Like all the other participating countries, Indones ia cherishes the signing of the Regional 
Comprehensive Economic Partnership or RCEP Agreement on 15 November 2020. The objective of 
the Agreement is to establish a modern, comprehensive, high -quality, and mutually beneficial 
economic partnership that will facilitate the expansion and deepening of regional trade and 
investment and contribute to global economic growth and development.  
5.24.   During the negotiation, we developed common rules that are based on what we already have 
under the existing ASEAN + One FTAs.  We agreed to address the issue of "spaghetti -bowl effects" 
thus allowing exporters or producers in the region to export their products simultaneously to all 
other RCEP countries without being bothered by multiple Certificates of Origins. We synthesized 
various rules on customs facilitation; SPS; product specific rules; and STRACAP — which stands for 
standards, technical regulations, and conformity assessment procedures; an improvement on trade 
in services' commitments; on Investment; IPRs and others.  
5.25.   Indonesia regards the RCEP as a platform to deepen and expand our role in the Regional 
Value Chains. We also see the potentials to capitalize on the spill -over effects from an FTA between 
RCEP participating countries with non -RCEP participating countries, thus  bringing Indonesia deeper 
into the Global Value Chain.  
5.26.   The RCEP Agreement will enter into force on the date when the agreed threshold is met. Such 
threshold is six ASEAN Member States and three ASEAN partners notify the ASEAN Secretariat on 
the completio n of their respective ratification process of the Agreement. Needless to say that there 
is new enthusiasm and hope amongst the 15 Members of RCEP that this mega -regional FTA, the 
largest one in the world, will provide Members with a speedy recovery from CO VID-19, build WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 62 - 
 
  confidence in trade, become the pulling power toward the restoration of global economic growth, 
and contribute to the enhancement of the multilateral trading system under the WTO where all 
Members can fairly benefit from the system.  
Conclusion  
5.27.   To conclude, allow me to assure Members that Indonesia will continue its unwavering support 
to the multilateral trading system under the auspices of the WTO. In fact, we are a strong believer 
in the WTO and the system it establishes. We also believe that i n order for our House to remain 
credible and relevant to today's world, we need to start reforming the WTO. We can do it through a 
step-by-step approach, restoring Members' trust and confidence, not to rush and not to adopt the 
"Christmas -Tree Approach". O n this note, Indonesia is ready to contribute to the reform process, to 
address the flip side of the existing Agreements, rules, and procedures, and to bring new hopes to 
the multilateral trading system. "It takes two to Tango," they said. But it should ta ke the whole 
Members of the WTO to bring the multilateral trading system into its new era.  
5.28.   On behalf of my country, Indonesia, allow me to once again thank all Members for your active 
and constructive participation in Indonesia's seventh Trade Policy Revi ew. Our gratitude goes to the 
Chairman, Ambassador Aspelund, and our discussant, Ambassador Rodríguez. I also wish to thank 
all the staff of the WTO Secretariat including our translators for providing support to Indonesia's 
seventh Trade Policy Review. I w ish you all a safe Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday Seasons. I 
thank you, Mr. Chairman.  
PONENTE  
5.29.   Muchas Gracias, señor Presidente y muy buenos días a todos.  
5.30.   Sin duda hemos tenido un intercambio muy productivo durante el examen en curso, las 
intervenciones  del Viceministro Sambuaga han abonado a contextualizar algunas políticas 
comerciales de Indonesia en su estrategia de desarrollo, así como a actualizarnos sobre cambios 
legislativos que, con la debida implementación, habrán de responder a algunas de las i nquietudes 
planteadas por los Miembros.  
5.31.   Se aprecian los comentarios valiosos que recientemente hizo el Viceministro y además se 
aprecia su disposición a discutir algunos temas que fueron planteados por la membresía.  
5.32.   En particular destaca lo expresado por el Viceministro con respecto a la Ley Omnibus de 
creación de empleos que directa e indirectamente se espera que incida favorablemente en el 
acontecer comercial con Indonesia.  
5.33.   Las 890 preguntas enviadas por los miembros y la participación de más de 40 deleg aciones 
en la sesión de antier reflejan la importancia que tiene el comercio para muchas de las economías, 
en particular con Indonesia.  
5.34.   Las intervenciones de las delegaciones complementaron y reiteraron los planteamientos 
formulados en las preguntas recibi das. Algunos de los miembros agradecieron la oportuna respuesta 
que se dio a sus preguntas, previo a la sesión virtual, mientras que otros consignaron no haber 
recibido aún las respuestas, confiando en que se hará a la brevedad, tal y como lo planteó el dí a de 
hoy el Viceministro.  
5.35.   De las intervenciones de los Miembros, podemos derivar que hubo un consenso para 
reconocer el notable desempeño macroeconómico de Indonesia durante el período de revisión. El 
crecimiento de la economía por arriba del 5%, con baja inflación, cuentas fiscales sólidas y sin 
desbalances externos de consideración. Un desempeño que ciertamente justificaría la envidia de 
muchas de nuestras economías.  
5.36.   Asimismo, fueron reconocidos los resultados en reducción del desempleo, en la disminución  
de los índices de pobreza y de la desigualdad.  
5.37.   Se reconocieron la intensa agenda de Indonesia para ampliar su red de acuerdos regionales 
y el liderazgo que ha tenido en la región para fortalecer ASEAN, concretar el RCEP, así como su WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 63 - 
 
  propositivo papel en G 20 y APEC. Asimismo, diversos Miembros destacaron la valiosa labor que 
realiza Indonesia en el plano multilateral por su participación en las iniciativas conjuntas, su 
liderazgo en agricultura y en diversos temas de la reforma de la OMC. Por su experiencia  en el tema, 
se le invitó a que reconsiderara su incorporación a la iniciativa conjunta sobre Micro, Pequeña y 
Mediana Empresa y al Acuerdo sobre Contratación Pública. Se agradece lo que acaba de expresar el 
Viceministro sobre su enfoque a la Micro, Pequeñ a y Mediana Empresa y lo que están haciendo 
ahorita, eso reitera lo valioso que sería que se incorporen a la Iniciativa Conjunta de la OMC.  
5.38.   Continuando con aspectos positivos que se escucharon durante la sesión, no pocos miembros 
reconocieron los avances d e Indonesia en modernizar varios aspectos que inciden en el comercio, la 
inversión y en el medio ambiente de negocios. Se reconocieron avances en transparencia, lucha 
anticorrupción, facilitación de comercio, el desarrollo importante de la ventanilla única , simplificación 
de trámites, mejoras al sistema de normas y de propiedad intelectual, mejoras en competencia, en 
procedimientos de compras de gobierno y flexibilización para la IED en algunos sectores, entre otros.  
5.39.   Por otra parte, durante sus intervencion es, los Miembros reiteraron y ampliaron inquietudes 
respecto a diversos asuntos que consideran que son en detrimento del comercio y que son 
perfectibles, se adujo que algunas políticas y/o medidas pudieran acotar la posibilidad de que 
Indonesia cumpla con sus compromisos ante la OMC.  
5.40.   De lo expresado por los Miembros, se puede decir que tres cuestiones fueron de las más 
impopulares: i) los aumentos arancelarios en algunos productos agropecuarios e industriales, ii) la 
aplicación y la manera en que se operan las licencias de importación para un número aumentado de 
líneas arancelarias, lo que ya recibimos esta mañana algunos comentarios del Viceministro, así como 
iii) un uso frecuente de medidas antidumping y de salvaguardas, a lo cual el Viceministro refirió h oy 
que lo hacen para defenderse de la competencia desleal y que están dispuestos a tener un enfoque 
de más prudencia en estos mecanismos.  
5.41.   Asimismo, se hizo referencia a pre -verificaciones a importaciones, prohibiciones e impuestos 
a ciertas exportaciones, requerimientos de contenido nacional, que también fue discutido hoy por el 
Viceministro, este contenido nacional se asocia tanto a compras de gobierno cómo en el desarrollo 
de ciertas industrias, el bajo porcentaje de estándares internacionales, a la exces iva participación 
de empresas públicas en la economía, a la opacidad para determinaciones regulatorias, la necesidad 
de mayor flexibilización en sectores para la IED, así cómo se sugirió que se efectúen las notificaciones 
relativas a medidas comerciales re lacionadas con la inversión y las referentes a restricciones 
cuantitativas.  
5.42.   Durante su intervención inicial y en la de hoy, el Viceministro Sambuaga manifestó la 
disposición de Indonesia a atender las inquietudes expresadas por los Miembros, refiriendo asi mismo 
que, por su contenido, la Ley Omnibus de Creación de Empleos es la respuesta directa de su gobierno 
a las preocupaciones del sector privado, nacional e internacional, referentes a la incertidumbre y a 
una economía de costos elevados.  
5.43.   Algunos Miembro s expresaron su beneplácito por la nueva legislación y la necesidad de que 
la implementación de las misma se traduzca en una mejoría en el medio ambiente de negocios que 
facilite la capitalización de oportunidades de comercio e inversión en Indonesia.  
5.44.   Sin duda, para quienes hemos participado de este ejercicio, nos queda claro que, a pesar de 
la crisis económica -sanitaria en curso, durante el periodo de examen la economía de Indonesia ha 
tenido un crecimiento exitoso y enfrenta el reto de su modernización, b uscando cómo optimizar los 
beneficios de su inserción a los flujos comerciales y de inversión mundiales.  
5.45.   Una arista importante de ese reto es compatibilizar su agenda de desarrollo hacia adentro, 
con sus crecientes compromisos internacionales. El tener que  avanzar en sus planeadas etapas de 
desarrollo con la dosis apropiada de internacionalización sujeta a un marco legal convenido, en esto 
no hay receta única para el éxito, pero muchas vías para no alcanzarlo.  
5.46.   Seguramente con el pragmatismo, prudencia y lid erazgo que ha mostrado Indonesia, su 
economía continuará siendo una historia de éxito, apuntalada cada vez más por su sector externo.  WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 64 - 
 
  5.47.   Indonesia continuará siendo un valioso apoyo del sistema multilateral del comercio. Ha sido 
un privilegio ser parte de est e EPC de Indonesia y de tener una aproximación cercana a sus esfuerzos 
exitosos de desarrollo, lo cual ha sido bastante enriquecedor.  
5.48.   Le deseo un sano y seguro regreso al Viceministro de Indonesia, le deseo felicidades a su 
delegación y buenos días a todo s. Muchas gracias Presidente.  
EUROPEAN  UNION  
5.49.   On behalf of the EU, let me first thank Indonesia for the comprehensive overview presented 
on Tuesday of the main trade and economic developments that occurred during the review period 
and for the statement this  morning addressing some of the issues raised on the first day.  
5.50.   The EU welcomes the useful insights that this Review has provided into Indonesia 's ongoing 
and planned policies and initiatives to foster economic growth, enhance its integration into global 
supply chains and strengthen its regulatory environment.  
5.51.   The EU hopes that the comments received by the WTO Members will support Indonesia in 
further reviewing and reforming its trade policies, addressing the challenges and the shortcomings 
highligh ted by many delegations on Wednesday.  
5.52.   To this respect, the EU would like to underline that the introduction of cumbersome import 
procedures (affecting a broad number of products from food and beverage to textile and footwear, 
toys and electronics) with th e stated objective of curbing imports and supporting domestic industry 
is in striking contrast with the letter and spirit of the WTO Agreement. This policy also negatively 
affects the business climate and reduces the attractiveness of Indonesia as a destin ation for foreign 
direct investments.  
5.53.   Moreover, the EU is concerned about the increasing number of safeguard measures introduced 
by Indonesia and affecting legitimate trade. Safeguard is an emergency and temporary measure to 
allow domestic producers to adj ust to the surge on trade flows. We consider that Indonesia should 
rather use country specific trade defence instruments that do not affect unnecessarily all countries 
of origin.  
5.54.   Finally, we note that a considerable number of EU (and other Members ') quest ions remain 
completely or partially unanswered by Indonesia. Together with the Government and Secretariat 
reports, the questions and replies are an essential part of the Trade Policy Review process. While we 
understand that the time for the answer was rath er short for such a big number of questions, we 
are looking forward to receiving more detailed answers within the prescribed timeframe, including 
to the follow -up questions submitted today. In this regard, the EU would encourage Indonesia to 
consider using  the alternative timelines for its next TPR, allowing for more time to reply to the 
questions as well as for providing other Members the possibility to review the replies in advance of 
the meeting.  
5.55.   In conclusion, the EU would like to thank the delegation of Indonesia for undergoing this 
important transparency exercise in a virtual format and in spite of challenging circumstances, thus 
demonstrating Indonesia 's commitment to the WTO. We are confident that our good cooperation will 
continue and will contribu te to a sustainable socio -economic recovery from the pandemic and to 
economic growth.  
UNITED  STATES  
5.56.   The United States would like to thank Indonesia 's Vice Minister of Trade, Jerry Sambuaga, the 
discussant, Ambassador Villalobos, and the rest of the delegat ion for their participation in Day One, 
and for their efforts to prepare for the Trade Policy Review.  
5.57.   That said, the United States notes that Indonesia did not submit their responses to the 
questions to the TPRD until 10:00 am on Day One of the TPR. As a r esult, Indonesia 's replies to 
advanced written questions were not released to Members until after the end of Day One 's 
discussion, significantly reducing the time allotted to pose follow -up questions. As was noted in this 
morning 's opening statement, Indon esia has responded to only three quarters of the questions posed WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 65 - 
 
  by Members, falling short of our expectations of any Member under review in the TPRB. We note 
that Indonesia is the second ASEAN member in short order to fail to respond to Members ' questions  
in a timely manner. We hope that there is not a false understanding within the ASEAN members that 
the TPR questions and response process is optional. Moreover, the United States would also like to 
point out that, in many cases, Indonesia did not sufficien tly respond to questions that had been 
submitted. We would like to highlight some of those instances, and we urge Indonesia to fully 
address these matters today and in response to Members ' follow -up questions.  
5.58.   For example, the United States asked Indonesia  to provide a timeline on when it plans to 
notify the WTO on TRIMs, pre -shipment inspection, and quantitative restrictions, which are still 
outstanding. We also asked for an explanation as to why 116 notifications notified to the WTO 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures were implemented before the 60 -day period for 
comments had closed.  
5.59.   Indonesia 's responses gave no indication of when their outstanding notifications would be 
made, nor did they explain why so many measures were implemented before the comment period 
had closed. We ask Indonesia to fulfill its transparency obligations in these areas, and notify future 
relevant measures and regulations in a timely manner.  
5.60.   We are concerned that measures adopted by Indonesia to stimulate the growth of p articular 
local industries risk having serious negative impacts in global markets. In the steel sector, for 
example, ongoing measures are causing distortions in the global price of a key steelmaking 
ingredient, of which Indonesia is a major supplier, while  artificially promoting increased Indonesian 
production and exports of steel at a time of already massive global oversupply.  
5.61.   We also note that many WTO Members, in addition to the United States, have voiced concerns 
about Indonesia 's local -content requirem ents (LCRs). Again, many of Indonesia 's responses to such 
questions did not address what had been asked. We were disappointed to learn that, despite the 
broad concern among WTO Members about this topic, Indonesia indicated that it had no plans to 
remove an y of the LCR regulations in the near future. We remind Indonesia of the long -standing and 
predominately negative evidence of the impact of LCRs on economic development and trade. We 
urge the Government of Indonesia to carefully examine its obligations unde r the WTO Agreement 
on Trade Related Investment Measures (TRIMs), reconsider the measures that have been flagged 
by Members, and promptly and fully respond to the questions posed to it during the TPR, in the 
TRIMs Committee and the Council for Trade in Goo ds. 
5.62.   We reiterate our desire to see Indonesia fully embrace trade and economic liberalization, and 
consider its pursuit of agricultural self -sufficiency and associated import -restricting policies. As we 
mentioned on Day One, such policies can have unintende d and negative impacts on food security, 
nutrition, and economic opportunity, particularly for a country 's most vulnerable populations. We 
will continue to engage Indonesian representatives, here in Geneva and in Jakarta, to resolve our 
concerns in these a reas. We look forward to close cooperation with Indonesia, bilaterally and in the 
WTO, in this regard.  
5.63.   Lastly, we call on Indonesia, once again, to no longer seek special and differential treatment 
in current and future WTO negotiations, and we stress the significance this decision would have on 
ensuring that the WTO remains a viable forum for meaningful trade negotiations.  
5.64.   Again, we thank the delegation of Indonesia for their participation in this Review, and we 
thank the Secretariat and the discussant fo r their valuable support and insights.  
JAPAN  
5.65.   Let me first thank the delegation of Indonesia for the comprehensive overview presented last 
Wednesday of the main developments that have taken place since the last Review, as well as for the 
statement this morn ing that addressed some of the issues raised by the Members on the first day.  
5.66.   Japan also appreciates this opportunity to discuss and better understand the development of 
Indonesia 's trade policy and practices since the previous TPR. Japan hopes that Indone sia will duly 
take into account the challenges highlighted by Members including Japan during this review.  WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 66 - 
 
  5.67.   In addition, Japan thanks Indonesia for the reply to our advanced written questions. However, 
Japan notes that Indonesia did not provide a sufficientl y comprehensive reply to our questions, 
including those on import licensing, safeguards, and export and import prohibitions. We would 
therefore like to urge Indonesia to address these matters and provide a fully comprehensive 
response to our questions. Esp ecially, Japanese companies have suffered serious negative impacts 
due to Indonesia 's safeguard measure on carpets. We hope Indonesia will take this concern seriously 
and look forward to receiving Indonesia 's sincere responses in due course.  
5.68.   Finally, Japan  would like to wish Indonesia a successful TPR and extends its appreciation to 
the Indonesian delegation for their efforts to prepare for this review, especially under the current 
circumstances.  
UNITED  KINGDOM  
5.69.   The United Kingdom appreciates Indonesia 's active participation in their seventh Trade Policy 
Review, under the leadership of the Honorable Jerry Sambuaga, Vice Minister of Trade and with the 
excellent support of the Mission of Indonesia. We would also like to join other delegations in stating 
our appreciation for Indonesia 's active involvement in the Joint Statement Initiatives on e -commerce 
and investment facilitation for development.  
5.70.   We thank Indonesia for the answers that they have provided to date to the questions raised 
by the UK i n advance of this TPR. We note that four of the questions that we had submitted have 
not yet been answered. In addition, we have submitted follow up questions on halal certification and 
on patents.  
5.71.   We look forward to receiving detailed answers to these que stions within the usual timeframe.  
5.72.   The United Kingdom values our cooperation with Indonesia at the WTO, and our joint efforts 
to enhance bilateral trade. We extend our best wishes to the Indonesian delegation for the successful 
conclusion of this Trade Pol icy Review.  
H.E.  MR. JERRY  SAMBUAGA  (HEAD  OF DELEGATION)  
5.73.   We really appreciate all the comments, inputs, and also all the expressions made by some 
delegates, particularly the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan and the European Union. And 
we wish to fu lfill all the answers in written format, and we will comply and process as soon as 
possible, and we are looking forward to it.  
  WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 67 - 
 
  6  CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON  
6.1.  Despite the COVID -19-related meeting constraints, the seventh Trade Policy Review of 
Indonesia has offered us a good opportunity to deepen our understanding of recent developments 
in, and challenges to, its trade, economic, and investment policies. Since i ts last TPR in 2013, 
Indonesia's initiatives to maintain its position in the Multilateral Trading System and take advantage 
of the opportunities it offers have been greatly appreciated. Indeed, the 900 advance written 
questions submitted by 32 Members and the 43 delegations that took the floor during the first and 
second day underline the importance attached by Members to Indonesia's trade and investment 
policies and practices.  
6.2.  I would like to thank Indonesia's delegation, led by the Vice Minister of Trade  at the Ministry 
of Trade, H.E. Mr. Jerry Sambuaga, for being physically present at this meeting and for its active 
participation in this exercise. Also, I would like to thank our discussant H.E. Ambassador Ángel 
Villalobos Rodríguez, Permanent Representat ive of Mexico to the WTO, for his insightful remarks, 
and all the delegations that took the floor for their valuable contributions to this Review.  
6.3.  Members commended Indonesia's sound macroeconomic policies and strong fundamentals that 
continued to ensure solid economic growth despite current global challenges. Economic growth was 
largely driven by domestic demand, and ensured economic resilience, low inflation and 
unemployment levels and enabled Indonesia to reach upper -middle income status for the first t ime 
in 2020. Indonesia's efforts to minimize the negative impacts of the COVID -19 pandemic, including 
on global supply chains and the free flow of essential goods, were acknowledged. Members welcomed 
Indonesia's trade -related structural reforms focused on improving the business environment, 
attracting foreign investment and developing infrastructure as well as efforts to improve 
transparency and address corruption. Members appreciated regulatory and institutional reform 
initiatives under the Economic Policy  Packages (EPP) and welcomed the recent enactment of the 
Omnibus Law on Job Creation, which drew particular attention. To benefit more fully from global 
trade and value chains, Indonesia was encouraged to continue with productivity -enhancing structural 
reforms by, inter alia, further addressing transparency in policymaking, regulatory uncertainty, 
investment restrictions and the significant role of SOEs.  
6.4.  Members praised Indonesia for its active participation in the Multilateral Trading System and 
its improv ed commitments through the ratification of the Trade Facilitation Agreement whose full 
implementation was still under way. They commended its leading role in the WTO agriculture 
negotiations, as well as its active participation in the fisheries subsidies n egotiations, the Joint 
Statement Initiatives on investment facilitation and e -commerce, as well as its support for the full 
implementation of the Buenos Aires Declaration on Women's Economic Empowerment. Furthermore, 
Indonesia was encouraged to, inter alia , accede to the Government Procurement Agreement, and 
participate in the Joint Statement Initiatives on services domestic regulation and MSMEs, as well as 
to continue actively engaging in discussions on the future of the WTO. Indonesia's role at the G20 
and G33 groupings, as well as its ASEAN leadership were appreciated. Members also referred to 
Indonesia's increased focus on RTA initiatives including its participation in the Regional 
Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and its impact on the Multilate ral Trading System. 
Involvement in dispute settlement cases was noted and Indonesia was, inter alia, urged to contribute 
to the smooth running of relevant procedures. Members also highlighted its WTO notification record 
and encouraged it to address certain  pending notifications.  
6.5.  Members commended Indonesia's commitment to greater trade facilitation and connectivity 
through its Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme, the ASEAN Single Window, as well as 
the ASEAN Wide Self Certification scheme and the ASEAN Customs Transit Systems, both of which 
went live in 2020. The increase in the average applied MFN tariff rate, tariff peaks and complex 
tariffs were noted; at the same time, Indonesia was urged to rectify tariffs exceeding their WTO 
bound level. Pers isting frequent recourse to anti -dumping and safeguard action was noted. Members 
requested Indonesia to prevent the impact of non -tariff measures on a wide range of items of interest 
to them, including trading rights limitations, prior import verification requirements, import licences, 
local content requirements, domestic manufacturing requirements, export prohibitions, export 
restrictions, export taxes, and the use of standards and SPS measures. Members recalled that the 
adoption of TBT and SPS measures, n otably relating to halal products, horticultural products and 
fresh foods, must take place in a manner that is compatible with multilateral disciplines. Concerns 
over the potential impact of the Halal Product Assurance Law and its implementing regulation w ere WT/TPR/W/ 182 • Indonesia  
 
- 68 - 
 
  expressed and further explanations were requested. Members commended Indonesia for ratifying 
various IP treaties and strengthening its domestic IP regime.  
6.6.  Some other issues were also raised by certain Members. The recent and significant steps to 
combat  IUU fishing were commended. Some Members congratulated Indonesia on policy changes to 
its domestic fossil fuel subsidies. On services, questions were asked about the impact of new 
telecommunications regulations in improving access to infrastructure and de veloping 
telecommunications services. Some Members urged Indonesia to remove market access barriers 
faced by foreign financial services firms and address restrictions on foreign -owned shipping and 
insurance companies in the transport of certain commodities . 
6.7.  The above are some of the key issues that had emerged in our discussion. I hope that the 
Indonesian delegation will consider and further reflect on these issues and on the many constructive 
comments, both broad and detailed, that it has received during t his Review. Members look forward 
to receiving the answers from Indonesia to any outstanding questions within one month, at which 
point the Review will be successfully concluded.  
__________