The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Indonesia and the EU will open up broader access for Indonesian exports to the EU, describing it as a vast market with over 460 million people, a substantial GDP, and significant trade activity.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (Photo: Antara)
Jakarta (VNA) — Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto announced that all tariffs between Indonesia and the European Union (EU) will be reduced to 💖zero after the🐲 two sides reached consensus on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
This pact will serve as the framework for a free trade partnership between the two parties, he said.
Speaking to the press on July 13, President Prabowo noted that most tariff arrangements had been finalised, with nearly all reduced to zero, describing the development as a major breakthrough.
He emphasised that the agreement will open up broader access for Indonesian exports to the EU, describing it as a vast market with over 460 million people, a substantial GDP, and significant trade activity.
The Indonesian President called the CEPA a strategic move for Indonesia, particularly amid global uncertainty, and said the country will expedite its signing and ratification.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Indonesia plays a crucial role in global supply chains and is a key provider of essential goods needed for Europe's digital transformation and green transition.
She emphasised that the CEPA will expand market access for Indonesian products such as agricultural produce, cars, services, and vital raw materials but urged adherence to safety, social responsibility, and environmental standards.
Local media previously reported that Prabowo and von der Leyen reached the CEPA agreement in Brussels, laying the groundwork for freer Indonesian access to the European market./.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto described reaching a political agreement with the EU as a "breakthrough" after 10 years of negotiations, affirming that his country considers Europe a very important trading partner.
According to head of the ministry’s Centre for Data and Information Technology, Yudhistira Nugraha, in the context of education, AI is not built to replace teachers, but rather to support them. To effectively utilise AI in teaching, teachers need to master several stages.
In a letter dated July 7 and addressed to President Prabowo Subianto, US President Donald Trump confirmed the decision to keep the 32% tariff in place, despite ongoing talks.
Singapore also launched new training programmes for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), with the first course for Caribbean officials to be held in 2026, and announced an extension of the Singapore-ICAO Developing Countries Training Programme, including 1.8 million USD in scholarships and support over the next three years.
The recognition not only raises awareness of biodiversity conservation but also paves the way for deeper cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in eco-tourism development and sustainable management of nature reserves.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet announced on July 14 that the country will begin enforcing its long-dormant compulsory military service law starting in 2026.
Boats and ferries are regular modes of transport in Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, and accidents are relatively common due to bad weather as well as lax safety standards that often allow vessels to be overloaded.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) on July 14 resolved to establish an inquiry panel to examine the leaked audio clip in which Paetongtarn is heard speaking with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen regarding the Thai-Cambodian border dispute. In the clip, she appears to refer to the commander of Thailand’s Second Army Area as “the other side.”
The ACFTA, launched in 2000, became one of the world’s largest free trade agreements by 2010, when Version 1.0 eliminated tariffs on over 90% of traded goods.
The provision requires individuals or companies to notify the relevant authority at least 30 days in advance if they know or have reasonable grounds to suspect that an item could be misused or used for restricted activities.
According to Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Thapanee Kiatpaibool, the Middle East market is a supporting factor helping to boost tourism revenue as it currently has a growth of about 17% to 18%. Therefore, Thailand aims to increase the volume of arrivals from the Middle East and airlines.
The popular cage-bird is listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and a protected species by the Indonesian environment and forestry ministry.
Thai police recently conducted coordinated raids at 19 locations linked to a foreign call centre network in Bangkok, Samut Prakan, and Chonburi, seizing luxury vehicles and more than 27 million THB (833,800 USD) in cash.
The Thai government has instructed the Ministry of Public Health to coordinate with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and provincial public health offices nationwide. Their mission is to increase inspections of products containing cannabis extracts.
With lead firms (especially in electronics, machinery and auto parts) will reconsider Malaysia’s manufacturing capabilities, long-term capital investment potentially will flow to ASEAN rivals - Vietnam, Indonesia or Thailand.
Singapore now boasts 2,590 Green Mark-certified buildings as of March 2025. These green buildings collectively save over 4.2 billion kWh energy annually – equivalent to powering 1 million 4-room HDB flats and 1.3 billion SGD (1 billion USD) in cost savings per year.
Treatment using Imcranib 100 is now available at Chulabhorn Hospital, signicantly reducing treatment costs and increasing access to care for Thai patients, according to the CRA.
New Zealand views SEANWFZ as part of a broader network of nuclear weapon-free zones across the southern hemisphere, including in Latin America, Africa, and the South Pacific
The WHO Director-General noted that tobacco companies specifically target young people with flavoured products and that in some countries, these items are sold near schools, contributing to rising use among youth.
The epicentre was located to be about 177km west of Tual city in Maluku province. The USGS estimated the quake's depth at 66 km, while the BMKG reported a depth of 98km.
Thailand may face heavy rain and flash floods until July 24 due to intensified monsoon, warns Meteorological Dept based on European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) weather models.
As an institute, it will now partner international laboratories to develop expertise in reactor simulation and modelling to analyse the safety of reactor designs, said Heng.