Dialogue Series – Trade in Services: Critical Role of Services in Indonesia’s Development

The series consists of three individual seminars, each focusing on a specific aspect of trade in services. The first seminar, held on February 14, 2013, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Jakarta, focused on recent developments in trade in services. The seminar featured presentations by Sherry Stephenson, Kirk Haywood, and David Parsons, among others. Key topics discussed included the role of services in the changing structure of world trade, services and global value chains, and the International Services Agreement (ISA). Sherry Stephenson highlighted the importance of services in helping Indonesia move up the value chain, while Kirk Haywood discussed regional agreements such as the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFAS) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). David Parsons presented views from the business sector on the role of services in economic growth. The second seminar, held on February 18, 2013, at the Morressey Hotel in Jakarta, focused on RCEP and services. The seminar featured presentations by Tan Tai Hiong, Sherry Stephenson, and Kirk Haywood, among others. Key topics discussed included the background on the launch of RCEP, the status of developing modalities for negotiation of services in RCEP, and the view of other countries on RCEP services goals. Tan Tai Hiong provided an overview of the ASEAN Secretariat's role in RCEP services negotiations, while Sherry Stephenson discussed considerations for Indonesia in setting goals and standards for RCEP services. Kirk Haywood presented existing services commitments under the ASEAN + 1 RTAs and how to make progress in developing services trade rules in RCEP. The third seminar, held on February 21, 2013, at the Aryaduta Hotel in Jakarta, focused on meeting AFAS 2013 in logistics and transportation. The seminar featured presentations by David Ray, Kirk Haywood, and Henry Sandee, among others. Key topics discussed included Indonesia's connectivity and infrastructure plans, logistics and the AFAS commitments, and transportation and logistics services for trade. David Ray provided an overview of Indonesia's connectivity and infrastructure plans, including the Master Plan for the Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesia's Economic Development (MP3EI). Kirk Haywood discussed Indonesia's commitments for AFAS 8 for implementation in 2013 and the difficulties and challenges faced. Henry Sandee presented an overview of costs for the transportation sector in Indonesia and the importance of transportation and logistics for trade competitiveness. The seminars brought together experts and stakeholders to discuss the critical role of services in Indonesia's development and to explore ways to improve trade in services in the country. The discussions highlighted the importance of services in helping Indonesia move up the value chain and the need for a holistic approach to services reform domestically and in trade agreements.