GCC, Indonesia concludes third round of free trade agreement talks

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 5 (KUNA) -- The third round of negotiations on the free trade agreement between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Republic of Indonesia concluded on Friday. The negotiations began last Monday in the Indonesian city of Bali to strengthen and develop trade and investment relations between the two sides.
The GCC side was headed by the General Coordinator of the Negotiations and Head of the Negotiating Team, Dr. Raja Al-Marzouqi, while Chief Negotiator Danang Prasta Daniel headed the Indonesian side. In a statement to KUNA, Dr. Al-Marzouqi said that the round witnessed 34 technical discussion sessions with the participation of approximately 80 specialists from both sides.
The two sides discussed various areas, including trade in goods and services, investment promotion, competition, rules of origin, customs procedures, and the Islamic economy, in addition to other topics of common interest, he added.
He pointed out that the free trade agreement negotiations are the culmination of the distinguished relations between the GCC countries and Indonesia, explaining that the agreement will enhance economic integration between the two sides and contribute to increasing the volume of trade exchange and investment flows.
He expressed his gratitude to the Embassy of Kuwait in Jakarta, as the host country, for the warm welcome and hospitality. (end) aab.aa