Indonesia, Japan Agree to Review IJEPA

Tokyo (Antara) - Indonesia and Japan have agreed to review the continuation of their economic cooperation outlined in the framework of the Indonesia-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (IJEPA), according to Indonesian Trade Minister Rachmat Gobel. "I have just met Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yoichi Miyazawa has signaled that the IJEPA could be reviewed," Gobel stated after the meeting here on Thursday. He noted that according to the initial agreement, the cooperation framework could be reviewed after five years in progress. The minister explained that Indonesia and Japan have agreed to review the IJEPA, which in the process should be beneficial to both parties. "Many things will be reviewed, but what we review should be mutually beneficial to both countries," Gobel said, expressing hope that the review could be done this year in order to increase Indonesian economic growth to seven percent, to increase investment, and to encourage exports. One of the focus areas of the economic cooperation in the implementation of the IJEPA is to strengthen the competitiveness of the industry in Indonesia through a program called Manufacturing Industry Development Center (MIDEC).(*)