(Kyodo) _ Trade ministers from Japan and Indonesia agreed Friday that Indonesia will eliminate tariffs on high-end steel products from Japan, such as those for automobiles, paving the way for conclusion of an outline of a bilateral free trade agreement in late November, a Japanese trade ministry official said. Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Akira Amari and Indonesian Trade Minister Mari Pangestu agreed during a meeting in Tokyo that Jakarta will eliminate tariffs on Japanese steel products that Indonesian manufacturers do not produce, such as those for automobiles and electronic products, the official said. The official also said the two nations were putting the final touches on wording of a deal requiring Indonesia to ensure stable energy supply to Japan, a key pillar of the envisaged FTA. An outline FTA is scheduled to be signed between Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono when the Indonesian leader visits Japan in late November. It will be the first time for Japan to reach an FTA with another country that would include a clause to ensure stable energy supply to Japan. Indonesia is a key supplier of energy and natural resources for Japan, with Tokyo depending on Jakarta for 27.6 percent of its natural gas imports and for 3.5 percent of its crude oil imports.
(Kyodo) _ Trade ministers from Japan and Indonesia agreed Friday that Indonesia will eliminate tariffs on high-end steel products from Japan, such as those for automobiles, paving the way for conclusion of an outline of a bilateral free trade agreement in late November, a Japanese trade ministry official said. Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Akira Amari and Indonesian Trade Minister Mari Pangestu agreed during a meeting in Tokyo that Jakarta will eliminate tariffs on Japanese steel products that Indonesian manufacturers do not produce, such as those for automobiles and electronic products, the official said. The official also said the two nations were putting the final touches on wording of a deal requiring Indonesia to ensure stable energy supply to Japan, a key pillar of the envisaged FTA. An outline FTA is scheduled to be signed between Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono when the Indonesian leader visits Japan in late November. It will be the first time for Japan to reach an FTA with another country that would include a clause to ensure stable energy supply to Japan. Indonesia is a key supplier of energy and natural resources for Japan, with Tokyo depending on Jakarta for 27.6 percent of its natural gas imports and for 3.5 percent of its crude oil imports.