Jakarta, Feb. 13 -- Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, as honorable panelist at the World Government Summit 2025 in Dubai on Wednesday (February 12), encouraged the emergence of a new economic bloc.

According to Hartarto, a new economic bloc is necessary due to rising global tensions.

The increase in global tensions will have implications for trade, investment, and geopolitical stability.

"Regional economic blocs, such as ASEAN, play a vital role as buffers to maintain economic stability in the region amid the US and China trade war," the minister noted in a statement.

Airlangga voiced optimism regarding the progress of the ongoing Indonesia-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) FTA negotiations before ...