GCC, Indonesia Sign Joint Statement to Launch Free Trade Negotiations

GCC, Indonesia sign joint statement to launch free trade negotiations. (SPA)
GCC, Indonesia sign joint statement to launch free trade negotiations. (SPA)
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GCC, Indonesia Sign Joint Statement to Launch Free Trade Negotiations

GCC, Indonesia sign joint statement to launch free trade negotiations. (SPA)
GCC, Indonesia sign joint statement to launch free trade negotiations. (SPA)

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi met yesterday with Indonesian Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan in Jakarta, where they underscored the significance of strengthening cooperation between the GCC and Indonesia to bolster economic ties and serve mutual interests.
The meeting included a signing ceremony for a joint statement to initiate GCC-Indonesia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
Both sides emphasized that the FTA between the two countries would establish a solid groundwork for expanding trade and investment and fostering cooperation. They highlighted that it will also establish the framework for legislation, laws, and procedures governing investments between the two sides, set mechanisms for their implementation, and create new job opportunities.
Albudaiwi said that the signing of the joint statement aligns with the directives of the GCC leaders to strengthen ties with international partners, highlighting that the FTA will play a crucial role in realizing the economic visions of the GCC countries and their strategic plans for economic diversification.
He also said that the initial round of negotiations will begin this year and is anticipated to conclude within 24 months, as mutually agreed upon.



China’s President Xi Says Tariffs and Trade Wars Hurt World Economic Order 

Chinese President Xi Jinping, center, applauds during a signing ceremony with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at The Great Hall of The People on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, in Beijing. (Iori Sagisawa/Pool Photo via AP) 
Chinese President Xi Jinping, center, applauds during a signing ceremony with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at The Great Hall of The People on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, in Beijing. (Iori Sagisawa/Pool Photo via AP) 
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China’s President Xi Says Tariffs and Trade Wars Hurt World Economic Order 

Chinese President Xi Jinping, center, applauds during a signing ceremony with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at The Great Hall of The People on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, in Beijing. (Iori Sagisawa/Pool Photo via AP) 
Chinese President Xi Jinping, center, applauds during a signing ceremony with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at The Great Hall of The People on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, in Beijing. (Iori Sagisawa/Pool Photo via AP) 

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday that tariff and trade wars undermine the legitimate rights and interests of all countries, hurt the multilateral trading system and impact the world economic order, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

Xi made the comments during a meeting with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev in Beijing, where he said that China is willing to work with Azerbaijan to safeguard the international system and carry out "in depth" law enforcement and security cooperation with the Azerbaijan side.

"China is ready to work with the Azerbaijan side to uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core...and safeguard international fairness and justice," Xinhua said.

The two leaders announced "the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Azerbaijan". It included the signing of 20 cooperation documents as part of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), in areas including legal, green development, digital economy, intellectual property rights, and aerospace.

Bordering Iran, Russia, Georgia and Armenia, Azerbaijan was one of the first countries to support China's BRI initiative. It was launched in 2013 by Xi as a way to extend China's geopolitical and economic influence through a global infrastructure development push.

Aliyev is on a state visit to China from April 22-24.