The European Union delegation to Indonesia in collaboration with the East Java Chamber of Commerce and Industry held a discussion entitled "Accessing European Markets through the Indonesia–EU Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CEPA) and Trade and Investment Opportunities" in Surabaya, Tuesday. The European Union Ambassador to Indonesia, Vincent Piket, when met by journalists on the sidelines of the activity, said that East Java is the province with the second highest national Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) and is a European strategic partner in the field of trade and investment. "We are impressed with the province's commitment to encourage investment and the European Union will support these efforts. The European Union is currently negotiating a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Indonesia. After the negotiations are completed, the CEPA will add value to GDP and exports and improve our trade and investment relations," said Vincent. Deputy Chairperson of the East Java KADIN for Promotion and Foreign Trade, Thommy Kaihatu, said BPS data indicated that East Java was the province with the highest number of business units in Indonesia, with 108,232 companies registered by the end of 2020.
"Over the last 12 years, EU investment in East Java has reached USD 5.5 billion and has absorbed 77 thousand workers. Meanwhile East Java's exports to the European Union as of July 2022 amounted to USD 1.413 billion, and the import value from the European Union worth USD 1.22 billion" he said. Meanwhile, the Provincial Government of East Java appreciates the potential initiatives for trade and investment cooperation between East Java and the European Union. In the long term, technology from the European Union can boost the competitiveness of our products, both nationally and even on a Southeast Asian scale," said Deputy Governor of East Java Emil Elestianto Dardak. Not only that, he continued, his party will also prioritize CEPA between Indonesia with other countries because this is very important and has been anticipated since the beginning of taking office. "Because this is not only about trade but also the economy as a whole. Indonesia already has several CEPAs, which we expect soon from the European Union," he said. The discussion on trade and investment that was held at the Sheraton Hotel was attended by officials from European Union Member States in Indonesia including Poland, the Netherlands and Belgium. Also present were representatives of the European chamber of commerce in Indonesia (EuroCham), the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the East Java Indonesian Employers' Association (Apindo) and educational institutions. The mission to East Java is part of the European Union's Trade & Investment Roadshow to a number of provinces in Indonesia, with East Java being the third destination in 2022.
