Minister of Trade Budi Santoso met with Ted Osius, President & CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council (US-ABC), and the U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, Kamala Lakhdir, in Jakarta on Thursday, December 5. The meeting discussed the development and enhancement of economic cooperation between ASEAN and the United States under the US-ABC framework, particularly in the areas of sustainability, connectivity, and the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA). Minister Budi emphasized that this collaboration creates business opportunities for both parties, and Indonesia welcomes discussions to open new business avenues under the US-ABC banner. He also highlighted the importance of this platform in fostering government-private sector dialogue on digital issues, including best practices and opportunities related to cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and data governance.
In addition, Minister Budi emphasized the need for a regional strategy to strengthen sustainable economic growth in ASEAN and underscored the central role of the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) in the region’s sustainability agenda. Collaboration on implementing the ASEAN Circular Economy Framework and the Carbon Neutrality Strategy is crucial to ensure that sustainability remains a top priority in ASEAN's economic strategies. Minister Budi also appreciated US-ABC’s efforts in organizing a workshop on non-discriminatory treatment of digital products, held during the 7th DEFA Negotiation. According to Budi, this workshop will strengthen ASEAN's commitment to an integrated digital market, establish fair and competitive trade policies, and promote innovation and inclusivity across the region.
