VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Minister of Trade, Muhammad Lutfi along with Canadian Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion, and International Trade, Mary Ng officially launched the beginning of Indonesia-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (ICA-CEPA) negotiation. The launching was held virtually on Monday (21/06).

Minister Muhammad Lutfi remarked that the ICA-CEPA launching is a milestone in Indonesia-Canada relations that have been ongoing for 69 years. This agreement is expected to support the economy, trade, and investment growth, including to create jobs for the people of both nations. He added that this is foreign cooperation relations of strengthening the strategy for Indonesia and Canada as equal, important, and strategic partners - mainly amid the very dynamic global geopolitics.

Minister Muhammad Lutfi also explained, this is also a follow-up of President Joko Widodo's direction to make Indonesia actively form international trade negotiation with potential trade partners to open new market, especially to create an export opportunity amid the pandemic.

He further stated that the Indonesia-Canada agreement is a strategic move to open the chance for greater penetration of Indonesian products in North America. Until now, Indonesia only has one trade agreement in the American continent namely with Chile in South America.

Meanwhile, Director General  of the Trade Ministry's International Negotiation, Djatmiko Bris Witjaksono remarked that both ministers gave instructions for the two negotiation teams to immediately prepare the technicalities before starting the negotiation.

The first round of negotiation is planned to be held before the end of 2021. During the first quarter of 2021, both nations have had some online intensive discussions on potential issues to include in the agreement. The issues to be discussed include market access for goods trade, services trade, investment, and economic cooperation.

Djatmiko also said that Indonesian government hopes that with the ICA-CEPA, Indonesia can compete better with her neighbors in Southeast Asia that have earlier made trade agreements with Canada or joined in the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement.

Meanwhile, quoted from Canadian government official website canada.ca, Minister Mary Ng said that the trade relations between Canada and Indonesia have a significant growth potential. According to her, a comprehensive agreement can give the citizens of Canada a better access to Southeast Asian supply chain, open opportunities for Canadian goods and services into the world class in the rapidly developing market, as well as push long-term job creation and sustainable inclusive growth for the next generation.