The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
received a report that arrangement of APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation)
SOM (Senior Officials Meeting) is around Rp. 40 billion. The meeting which will
take place at a five-star hotel in Mega Kuningan, South Jakarta, will be
attended by 130 delegates from 21 member economies. Price of hotel room per day
is around USD 300. 130 persons x 14 days x USD 300 = Rp. 40 billion. “This
amount is paid by Ministry of foreign Affairs, Ministry of Trade, and
foreigners (21 member economies). I told the Vice Governor of DKI Jakarta
(Basuki T.Purnama/Ahok) that the contribution from the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs reaches Rp. 80 billion for DKI Jakarta's economy”, Yuri O. Thamrin,
Chairman of APEC SOM, told Business News (2/8).
Considering such a big amount of
fund, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs admitted that it must make a careful
calculation and cost detail. Public fund used for arrangement of APEC SOM
should be held accountable “We have prepared an agency having the authority to
handle all cost details.”
APEC is a cooperation forum operating on the basis
of a non-binding commitment. The commitment is aimed to build an open and free investment
and trade in the Asia Pacific region.
Activity is carried out by Sub Committee on Standard and Conformance (SCSC),
sub fora (cooperation forum) under Committee on Trade and Investment (CTI).
CTI is a committee having the task to support APEC commitment in trade
facilitation. “I, as a diplomat, considered that APEC is unique as there is
public-private connectivity.”
APEC commitment must be viewed
from two aspects, namely government and private sectors of each of the 21
member economies. Connectivity is a key word far a reel success so there is
synergy between public and private sector.
APEC with the involvement of
public and private sectors becomes very close. And, projects matters are
increasingly necessary for closer ties between pubic and private sectors. So,
there is e public partnership for building infrastructure. The cooperation
forum requires a fund of around USD 800 billion. “So, we believed that the role
of the private sector is highly necessary.”
In addition to cooperation, there
is also a concept of multiyear infrastructure partnership. Participants of APEC
SOM in Jakarta has planned and committed to apply multiyear for four years. The
cooperation will also develop private sector, whether in investment or trade.
The cooperation will be going on in accordance with the roadmap for four years.
“In 2014, the meeting will be held in China, and partnership program will be
continued in 2015 in the Philippines and in 2016 in Peru.”
On the other hand, Trade
Facilitation through Collective Action Plan (CAP) consists of nine areas, namely
Good Regulatory Practice (GRP), Recognition of Conformity Assessment, technical
infrastructure development, transparency, cooperation with special regional
body, cooperation with APEC Fora and Reform of SCSC.
Alignment is Identification of member economies in
the field of national standard priorities, harmonization with International
standards. Identification consists of electrical and electronic appliances,
food labeling, rubber product, machinery, electrical equipment.
Meanwhile, the implantation of Good Regulatory
Practices is aimed at reducing trade barriers, such as notification of draft
regulatory technical standards. In addition to that, there is also formulation
of public consultation forum in the process of regulation formulation and
other. “This year, Indonesia will hold the 7th Conference on Good
Regulatory Practices in Medan”.
Trade facilitation for the application of
Recognition of Conformity Assessment involves conformity assessment
institution. Some of the assessments include testing/calibration laboratory,
inspection institution, certification institution accredited by an
Accreditation Committee which becomes member of the Regional Conformity
Assessment Body. The implementation will broaden absorbability in the global
market, especially conformity assessment system which is harmonious with
international system.
Business News - February 13,2013
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