RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is intensifying efforts to strengthen trade and investment cooperation on the global stage, with a particular focus on accelerating the implementation of the Indonesia–Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (ICA‑CEPA).

The initiative was highlighted at the 2026 APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) forum in Suzhou, China, underscoring Indonesia’s push to expand market access and reinforce supply chains with key partners.

Deputy Trade Minister Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri held a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the forum, including talks on Saturday, May 23, 2026, with Yasir Naqvi, Canada’s Parliamentary Secretary of Trade.

The meeting centered on strategic steps to implement and maximize the ICA‑CEPA, which has been ratified by both countries. Indonesia’s House of Representatives (DPR RI) approved the agreement during a working session with the Trade Ministry and Commission VI on May 19, 2026, while Canada’s parliament has taken similar action.

“This bilateral meeting is a crucial moment for Indonesia and Canada to ensure that ICA‑CEPA implementation runs optimally and on schedule. We encourage mutually beneficial investment collaboration and hope business actors will fully utilize this partnership,” Roro said, as quoted on the ministry’s official website.

She emphasized that Canada is a strategic trade and investment partner for Indonesia. Through ICA‑CEPA, both countries agreed to accelerate global supply chain integration, particularly in technology and food security.

Naqvi welcomed the progress, describing Indonesia as a key economic anchor in Southeast Asia. He expressed optimism that ICA‑CEPA would serve as a catalyst for market diversification and boost bilateral trade amid global geopolitical challenges.

“From Canada’s side, we are preparing two potential projects to connect Canadian and Indonesian SMEs in food security, energy security, and digital sectors. We hope Indonesia will embrace this initiative,” Naqvi said.

Beyond ICA‑CEPA, the two sides also discussed the planned visit of Canada’s Prime Minister to Jakarta and progress on the ASEAN–Canada Free Trade Agreement.

Indonesia–Canada trade continues to show strong growth. Bilateral merchandise trade is expected to reach USD 4.36 billion in 2025, up from USD 3.57 billion in 2024, with Indonesian exports rising from USD 1.44 billion to USD 1.69 billion.

In services, trade reached USD 506.62 million in 2024, with Indonesia recording a surplus of USD 102.92 million. Service exports are projected to grow from USD 278.3 million to USD 304.77 million.

Preferential tariffs under ICA‑CEPA are expected to drive total trade growth of 7–10 percent by the end of 2026. Indonesia’s leading exports to Canada include textiles, footwear, processed foods, seafood, and wood products, while imports are dominated by wheat, fertilizer, industrial raw materials, and energy‑related products.

On the same day, Deputy Minister Roro also met with China’s Vice Minister of Commerce Li Chenggang to discuss strengthening economic ties. She reaffirmed that China remains Indonesia’s largest trading partner and a crucial export destination.

Li pledged to maintain balanced trade relations and expand market access for Indonesian products, inviting Indonesia to participate in the 2026 China International Import Expo (CIIE) and other major trade fairs such as the China–ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO).

He also highlighted efforts to streamline customs procedures for Indonesian agricultural exports, including fresh durian, to enhance competitiveness in the Chinese market. ***