Indonesia-EU CEPA Set for EU Ratification in October

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Indonesian exporters have the opportunity to gain more competitive access to the European Union (EU) market as the Indonesia-EU Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (I-EU CEPA) nears completion.

Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said the legal drafting of the agreement in English is nearly complete. “So, once this is finished, the hope is that it can be submitted for ratification in the EU in October,” he said in a statement in Jakarta on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

According to Minister Airlangga, the agreement will expand market access for Indonesia’s leading commodities and products. “The CEPA creates stronger market access, trade, and Indonesia-EU business engagement,” he said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Trade, Budi Santoso, said the government continues to coordinate with the EU and its member states to finalize the agreement. Once in effect, several Indonesian export products will have the opportunity to penetrate the European market with a zero percent tariff.

This arrangement has the potential to reduce the tariff burden on exporters and enhance the competitiveness of Indonesian products. The cost savings could also open opportunities for companies to expand their export volumes and market penetration in Europe.

He noted that the I-EU CEPA negotiations have been ongoing for 10 years and have now reached the final stage of negotiations. According to him, the completion of the negotiations is a significant achievement for all parties, particularly Indonesian exporters.

For the business community, the conclusion of the I-EU CEPA provides greater certainty regarding trade access to the EU. The government must now ensure the ratification process proceeds so that businesses can immediately reap the benefits of reduced trade barriers. ***