Indonesia as chair of ASEAN 2011

Towards the ASEAN summit in Jakarta, also held a business summit meeting of ASEAN and the European Union which  was attended by many businessmen from the two regions. The summit that was held on Thursday (May 5) -which was opened by President Susilo  Bambang  Yudhoyono- discussed various  aspects of  economic cooperation between ASEAN with the European Union. The Minister of Trade Mari Pangestu also said that the four ASEAN countries have been talking about trade agreements with the EU.

Chairman of the  Indonesian chamber of commerce and industry, Suryo Bambang Sulisto believes the prospects of economic cooperation between ASEAN-European Union is very well.Suryo Bambang Sulisto compares the trading relationship with China, which caused many complaints from the industry in Indonesia since flooded with Chinese cheap products and probably subsidized by the government. While with the European Union, ASEAN countries could take advantage in developing products that can meet the requirements  for entry into the EU market.