SYDNEY: Australia and Indonesia announced a 100-day plan on Monday (Feb 10) to implement a long-awaited trade deal, as the two countries hailed a "new beginning" for their sometimes troubled relationship. Negotiations over the Australia-Indonesia trade deal began in 2010 and it was ratified by Indonesia's parliament last week, ahead of Widodo's visit. The agreement will eventually see the elimination of all Australian trade tariffs, while 94 percent of Indonesian duties will be gradually eliminated. The leaders also eyed talks aimed at making it easier for Indonesians to enter Australia and a review of Australian travel advice for tourist destinations in Indonesia, Morrison said. The trade deal was meant to be signed in 2018, but stalled when Morrison proposed the relocation of Australia's embassy in Israel to Jerusalem -- a move that angered Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country.

Source: The Star February 10, 2020 12:45 UTC