Indonesian SMEs Face Regulatory Hurdles in Canadian Market

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) face regulatory hurdles in entering the Canadian market, despite expanding economic ties between the two countries, a senior business leader has said.

Devi Erna Rachmawati, vice chairwoman for agriculture at the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), said regulatory compliance remains the most critical obstacle for Indonesian MSMEs seeking to expand into Canada.

"The most crucial challenge for Indonesian MSMEs to penetrate the Canadian market is, of course, regulatory issues," she said at the Canada in Asia Conference (CIAC) 2026 in Singapore on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, as reported by Antara.

Devi said Indonesian MSMEs require sustained guidance to meet Canada’s regulatory standards and product distribution requirements. She added that Kadin is providing coaching and assistance to help local businesses comply with these rules and maximize the benefits of the Indonesia-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (ICA-CEPA).

In addition to capacity-building programs, Kadin is facilitating business-matching sessions between Canadian and Indonesian entrepreneurs and promoting Indonesian products at international trade exhibitions, she said.

CIAC 2026 brought together more than 550 innovators, thought leaders, and policymakers to discuss the Indo-Pacific economic landscape and explore opportunities for collaboration in Canada’s engagement with Asia. 

The forum addressed economic diversification and innovation, as well as global challenges such as supply chain disruptions, food security, technological innovation, and investment.

​Devi added that, in line with Canada’s commitment to sustainable economic growth, Canadian investors have shown interest in Indonesia’s agricultural downstream sector, particularly in value-added processing.​

Indonesian representatives attending the conference included the Director General of International Trade Negotiations at the Trade Ministry, Djatmiko B. Witjaksono, and the Indonesia Investment Authority (INA) CEO, Ridha Wirakusumah. ***