Illustrative image (Photo: asean.org)
Jakarta (VNA) – Chairman of theIndonesia Food and Beverage Industry Association (GAPMMI) Adhi Lukman has expressed hisbelief that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement willbe signed this year, regardless of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Adhi told the VietnamNews Agency that ASEAN and six partners have discussed the document for along time and it is time for them to reach consensus and implement it.
He said WTO has calledfor trade liberalism and investment, especially in food and farm produce, in aneffort to ensure food security amidst COVID-19.
This is why GAPMMI hassupported countries to agree on and sign the RCEP this year, he explained.
Once signed, the agreementwould benefit businesses operating in the sphere of food and beverages,especially those in big markets like China, India and Indonesia.
To optimiseopportunities and ease adverse impacts of the RCEP, it is a must to improvecompetitiveness, especially in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution,he suggested.
According to Adhi,total food and beverage trade value between Vietnam and Indonesia exceeded 300million USD in 2019, of which about 265 million USD came from Indonesia's exports.
Vietnam and Indonesiahave great potential to boost trade, he stressed./.
