REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Economic diplomacy can be a challenge for the next president of Indonesia, according to Wijayanto Samirin, an economic expert at the Paramadina University.

"The diplomatic policies of the next president will be based on economic interests, and therefore, the elected president in the July 9 presidential election should be wise enough to appoint a foreign affairs minister who understands the economy," Samirin noted here on Thursday.

But he remarked that Indonesia should not worry about the ASEAN Economic Community 2015 (AEC 2015) as zero percent tax for goods and services will then become applicable.

Samirin added that even today, the tax on numerous goods and services is almost zero percent since the process of tax reduction has already happened gradually since the past decade.

"After 2015, ASEAN will face a difficult issue of 'non trade barrier', including manpower mobility, and that it will be a good opportunity for Indonesian workers to work in other countries, such as Singapore, Malaysia, or Thailand," he stated.

"But, the Indonesian workers should have certain skills and international certifications. In this regard, the role of a foreign affairs minister who understands economic field is required," Samirin reiterated.

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