Event Reports

On Tuesday 14 April 2020, the EuroCham Technology Working Group held a regular group meeting via a teleconference call. The meeting was chaired by the head of working group, Mr. Antoine Schweitzer-Chaput. During the meeting EuroCham new Executive Director Mr. Edison Bako, introduced his roles in the EuroCham Secretariat. The meeting then discussed a number of topics, including the progress of position paper and plans to organize a webinar series on issues raised in the position paper. In addition, future advocacy plans were also discussed in addition to the development of current issues related to the impact of Covid-19 pandemic to the ongoing digital transformation in Indonesia. The Group is committed to remain relevant to drive Indonesia's digital transformation and help realize the government's target in making Indonesia the South East Asia digital hub.

On 11 March 2020, EuroCham and KADIN both got together for a round table discussion on their joint positions for the upcoming EU-Indonesia CEPA negotiations, which was planned on 16-20 March in Bali, Indonesia, but on hold due to the ongoing global Corona Virus Outbreak that also affected both regions. EuroCham in this meeting was led by EuroCham Vice Chairman Wichard von Harrach, and accompanied by few leaders of the EuroCham Working Groups, and secretariat staffs. While from KADIN side, the delegation was led by Wahyuni Bahar, Chairman of Permanent Committee of Multilateral Institutions and Free Trade Agreements, accompanied also by few other representatives.

The discussion was very lively, and both parties showed their strong commitment to a continue the ongoing negotiations for successful and mutually beneficial negotiation. The parties both agreed to prepare a statement in support for the negotiations, and calling for these to resume promptly and regularly. This meeting focused primarily on the Indonesian market, and the role of European companies in it. The group also enthusiastically agreed to arrange another meeting in April, this time focusing on the European market for Indonesian firms and investors.