Upgrading the China ASEAN Free Trade Area creates vast opportunities for industrial cooperation - Interview with Garibaldi Toshil, Chairman of the Chinese Committee of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

During a recent interview with Xinhua News Agency, Garibaldi Toshil, Chairman of the China Committee of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce, stated that the China ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Protocol was recently signed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, creating rich market and industrial cooperation opportunities for ASEAN, Chinese, and even global enterprises.

For ASEAN member countries such as Indonesia, this protocol helps to enhance competitiveness, attract sustainable investment, and strengthen regional integration within an open, rule-based framework, "said Toshil.

Toshil stated that the protocol covers new areas such as digital economy, green economy, and supply chain connectivity, and digital transformation and green growth are the core of Indonesia's development agenda. The country's achievement of net zero emissions goals requires cooperation in clean energy and green transportation, which is in line with China's development strategy.

Tosil believes that in the field of digital economy, Indonesia can cooperate with China on e-commerce platforms, artificial intelligence logistics, and digital payment ecosystems to help small and medium-sized enterprises develop and reduce transaction costs. In the field of green economy, Indonesia hopes to learn from China's experience in renewable energy technology, electric vehicle supply chain, and green finance framework.

Toshil also stated that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has injected new momentum into cooperation between Indonesia and China, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises. By simplifying customs procedures, promoting e-commerce and digital trade, RCEP enables Indonesian businesses to integrate more deeply into the regional value chain.

When it comes to the "Two Countries, Two Parks" cooperation project between China and Indonesia, Toshil said that Indonesia and China complement each other's advantages and share the same vision in areas such as green energy, digital economy, downstream mineral processing, and sustainable agriculture. This collaborative project will serve as an industrial connector and trade accelerator, providing a new platform for investment, technology exchange, and industrial cooperation, further integrating Indonesia's resource advantages with China's manufacturing innovation capabilities.

Regarding the upcoming 8th China International Import Expo in Shanghai, Toshil said that small and medium-sized enterprises are the backbone of Indonesia's economy, and the Expo provides an efficient platform and rare opportunity for them to obtain partners, expand markets, and integrate into the global trade ecosystem.

We firmly believe that the cooperation between Indonesia and China is not only mutually beneficial, but also the cornerstone of regional stability and development. "He said that this solid partnership not only reflects the deep economic ties between the two sides, but also demonstrates the transformative role played by platforms such as the China International Import Expo.