Indonesia–European Union trade relations

Despite the positive trend, the EU's share of Indonesia's trade with main partners diminished, from 9.2% in 2010 to 8.7% in 2011 and to 8,1% in 2012.[1] Even at a record high of EUR 25 billion, overall Indonesia–EU bilateral trade is well below some of the other neighbours in the region even though Indonesia is the largest economy in ASEAN. Trade value between Singapore and EU is recorded at US$52 billion while trade value between Malaysia and Thailand with the EU is recorded at US$35 billion and US$32 billion, respectively.[3]

The share of Indonesia's exports shipped to the European market has declined considerably, from 18 per cent to 14 per cent over the last decade. Most of the decline in Indonesia's exports to Europe's markets has been redirected to the ASEAN regional market.[4]

The EU is Indonesia's second largest source of FDI, however, during the period 2004–2010, Indonesia received only 1.6% of all EU FDI going into Asia, and only 6% of all EU investments flowing into the ASEAN region.[1]

Indonesia mostly exports to the EU agricultural products and processed resources, mainly palm oil, fuels and mining products, textiles and furniture. EU exports to Indonesia consist mainly of high-tech machinery and transport equipment, chemicals and various manufactured goods. Essentially, trade flows between Indonesia and the EU complement each other.[1]

Wood and paper products are a key export area for Indonesia with the total average annual value of timber and paper exports from Indonesia reaching US$1.2 billion which is around 15% of Indonesia's exports. The main timber products destined for the EU are paper, paper board, wooden furniture and plywood. Indonesia has suffered from severe illegal logging and rapid deforestation since the 1990s, and steps have been taken to strengthen control against the import of illegal timber products from Indonesia.[5]

After six years of intensive negotiations, Indonesian Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan, European Commissioner for the Environment Janez Potočnik and the Lithuanian Minister of Environment Valentinas Mazuronis signed the Indonesia–European Union (EU) Voluntary Partnership Agreement on Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT–VPA) in October 2013. This was hailed as an important milestone in Indonesia–EU trade relations. The FLEGT-VPA aims to prevent the trade of illegal timber and ensure that only verified legal timber and timber products are imported to the EU from Indonesia.[6]

Having signed the agreement, Indonesia and the EU will proceed to the ratification phase of the agreement through their respective processes. Eventually, this will lead to the implementation of the FLEGT-VPA, which will take place when both sides assess the licensing is ready.[6]

According to the EU statistics (Eurostat) Indonesia's exports of crude palm oil (CPO) have been surging over the last five years from €265 million in 2008 to €1.1 billion in 2012. The EU is Indonesia's second largest palm oil market after India. Indonesia's exports of biodiesel have also increased sharply from only €116 million in 2008 to €993 million in 2012.[7]

Given that there are concerns in Indonesia on the impact of EU's environmental regulations there is a strong dialogue on the issue. An anti-dumping investigation was initiated in August 2012 as there was evidence of dumping by companies from both Indonesia and Argentina of biodiesel on the EU market. Provisional measures were imposed in May 2013. As of 27 November 2013 the EU will impose definitive anti-dumping duties on imports of biodiesel from Indonesia.[8]

In December 2009, the EU decided to pursue negotiations towards free trade agreements with individual ASEAN countries, beginning with Singapore and followed by Malaysia and Vietnam. Indonesia and the European Union (EU) have agreed to commence talks on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) as both parties seek to enhance two-way trade and the EU's investments in Indonesia.[9]

The decision was informed by the Indonesia–EU Vision Group, established in late 2009 based on an initiative from Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, calling for the early launch of talks for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Besides a FTA, CEPA also envisages capacity-building and trade facilitation. Negotiations started in July, 2016, and the 9th round of talks is scheduled for early December 2019.[10]

Indonesia currently enjoys trade preferences with the EU under the generalized scheme of preferences which grants product imports into the European Union either duty-free access or tariff reductions. At present, almost 40 per cent of Indonesia's 13 billion Euros exports to the EU market are eligible for preferential treatment.[9]

The EU also carries out a number of projects aimed at improving bilateral trade. The Trade Support Programme, for instance focuses on technical elements affecting the Indonesia–EU trade flows: Capacity building in WTO for Indonesian officials, harmonisation of EU Standards, improving of technical laboratories.[11]

There is also a yearly business-to-business forum with the goal of increasing trade and investment between Indonesia and the EU. The EU–Indonesia Business Dialogue (EIBD) started in 2009 and since then, inputs and recommendations developed by EIBD have helped to improve the climate for doing business between Indonesia and the EU. Sector regulations have been eased, enabling market access on both sides. The overall objective is to facilitate open dialogue between Indonesian and European business communities.[12]

• Trade information between EU and Indonesia, Animated infographic, European Parliamentary Research Service