RI still prefers Doha to Trans Pacific deal

The Indonesian government still prefers a wider multilateral trade deal under the Doha Round Framework instead of a regional grouping under the proposed Asia Pacific Free Trade Area (APFTA).

Coordinating Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa said that Indonesia’s stance was shared by some APEC members.

“Only Peru and Singapore support the idea, which has been proposed by US … Indonesia thinks it’s better to complete the Doha Round first before jumping to the Trans Pacific agreement,” Hatta said in Jakarta on Thursday.

Countries launched the Doha round of world trade talks in the capital city of Qatar in late 2001 with the goal of helping developing countries prosper through trade.

Negotiations between major economies such as the US, EU, Brazil and India are in deadlock, forcing some members to seek alternatives to the global trade deal.