Minister Of Trade Budi: Indonesia-Canada Trade Agreement Opens Market Access To North America

Minister of Trade Budi Santoso (Photo: Mery Handayani/VOI)

Minister of Trade (Mendag) Budi Santoso said the Indonesia-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement or Indonesia-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (ICA-CEPA) opened access to the Indonesian product market into North Amarika.

The ICA-CEPA trade agreement is an alternative exporter to maintain export performance to the United States in the era of Donald Trump's leadership, which is likely to implement protectionism.

"With this ICA-CEPA, we hope that it will be easier to enter North American countries through Canada. So this is an access that we can use to make it easier to market products to countries in North America, including the United States," he said at a press conference at the Hotel Mulia, Jakarta, Monday, December 2.

According to Budi, ICA-CEPA can avoid policies that hinder the export process to countries in North America. Because Canada can be an entry point for local products to these countries, including the United Amarika.

"This is one way how we accelerate our market process and to avoid new obstacles from other countries. We can enter other doors through other countries," he said.

For your information, Indonesia and Canada have just agreed on a Joint Statement on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (ICA-CEPA).

The trade agreement was signed by the Minister of Trade Budi Santoso and the Minister for Export Promotion, International Trade, and Canadian Economic Development Mary Ng.

Previously reported, Canadian Minister for Export, International Trade and Economic Development, Mary Ng, explained that with the signing of the joint statement, Indonesia and Canada only had to process legality documents before the implementation of the ICA-CEPA.

Furthermore, Mary revealed that the target for IC-CEPA can be implemented in 2026.

We just signed a joint statement. And we have to go through a process in Canadian parliament to implement this. And the 2026 that we are targeting can be implemented," said Mary.

With this ICA-CEPA, continued Mary, there are many opportunities for business cooperation that can be carried out by Indonesia and Canada. Therefore, he asked investors or business people, especially in Canada, to make good use of this ICA-CEPA.

"Now is the right time for Canadian businessmen and investors to expand their exploration to the largest economy in Southeast Asia. On the other hand, it is now also the right time for Indonesian businessmen and investors who want to expand their wings to the North American market," said Mary.