Votations March 7 – Agreement with Indonesia salutary, according to the yes camp

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The free trade agreement with Indonesia will bring important prospects to the Swiss economy in this time of crisis. A broad political alliance is convinced of this. Especially since the project includes sustainability rules.

On March 7, the Swiss will vote on the agreement that aims to facilitate trade between Bern and Jakarta. Switzerland has an interest in positioning itself more widely in international trade in this period of major crisis, said Monday representatives of all parliamentary groups, except the Greens, meeting in an inter-party committee alongside economiesuisse.

This agreement will lead in the medium term to the elimination of almost all customs duties on Swiss products, explained the national adviser Laurent Wehrli (PLR / VD).

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The Indonesian market is currently very closed, with tariff peaks of up to 50%.

Free trade is good for both parties.

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The agreement with Jakarta provides Swiss companies with an important competitive advantage in these difficult times, noted National Councilor Elisabeth Schneider-Schneiter (PDC / BL). It also makes a long-term contribution to sustainable development in Indonesia.

A first

These global sustainability rules are a step forward, believes Vert’liberal group leader Tiana Angelina Moser. For the first time, these principles are included in binding provisions, especially in the controversial area of ​​palm oil.

Tariff reductions are not generalized automatically, but conditioned by the sustainable production of a good, added national councilor Fabien Molina (PS / ZH). This approach favors certified palm oil, which is more sustainable, compared to conventional palm oil.

This trade deal is not perfect, but it is the most progressive that Switzerland has ever concluded. Switzerland is committed to helping Indonesia achieve certification standards through development cooperation, continued the co-chair of the Swissaid organization. These new rules are an important step towards fair trade.

No competition

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The agreement also does not threaten Swiss agriculture, despite the concessions that have been made, explained SVP President Marco Chiesa. During the negotiations, the concerns of the sector were taken into account. “There is therefore no risk of competition with rapeseed and Swiss sunflower oil”, according to the adviser to the States of Ticino.

Opening up to new markets is also an opportunity. It reduces dependence on other markets, such as the EU, says Chiesa.

According to experts, Indonesia will become the world’s fourth largest economy by 2050, economiesuisse president Christoph Mäder said.

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The treaty provides Switzerland with a key competitive advantage with this large and growing market with which neither the EU nor the United States have yet concluded an agreement.

Referendum

In the other camp, the referendum is supported by some fifty civil society organizations, NGOs, peasant associations, environmental, trade unions, political parties, defense of human rights and fair trade. For them, even the agreement with conditions on palm oil production will not put an end to the destruction of tropical forests, harm to biodiversity and endanger the local populations.

ATS

Posted today at 12:41