President Moon: "Signing of Indonesia CEPA, a Special Strategic Partnership"

Welcome Message for the Official Signing of the 'Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement'... "Thanks to President Jokowi and the People of Indonesia"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] President Moon Jae-in stated on the 18th through a social network service (SNS) message, "Today, we officially signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with our long-time friend Indonesia," adding, "With this, Indonesia, the only New Southern policy country with which we established a 'special strategic partnership' immediately after the government took office, has become an even closer and more special friend."

President Moon said, "The first country to invite Korea as a state guest after our government took office was Indonesia. Thanks to President Joko Widodo's decision to visit Korea in 2018 in response to our reciprocal invitation, the CEPA negotiations, which had been suspended for four years, were able to resume," and expressed, "I extend my gratitude to President Joko Widodo and the people of Indonesia for their unwavering friendship and trust in Korea."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Moon stated, "With the conclusion of CEPA, Indonesia and Korea have opened their markets at a higher level than RCEP and the Korea-ASEAN FTA," adding, "Economic barriers have been lowered, improving conditions for companies from both countries to invest in each other's markets. Our companies in online gaming, distribution, and construction services now have expanded opportunities to enter Indonesia's domestic market, which has a population of 270 million."

President Moon recalled, "During my visit to Indonesia, I vividly remember sharing an umbrella with President Joko Widodo in sudden rain as we planted a gaharu tree. The two countries will share the umbrella called CEPA and nurture the tree of mutual growth and cooperation," expressing his expectations.