Indonesia hopes ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement negotiations conclude in 2026

Indonesia Trade Minister Budi Santoso expressed hope that negotiations for the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will be completed in 2026 to expand market access, drive innovation, and strengthen supply chain connectivity.

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According to him, moving forward, ASEAN should also explore new partnerships with strategic partners such as the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to strengthen regional economic diversification.

He emphasized the importance of deepening and expanding economic partnerships through accession processes to complement the benefits of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

RCEP is a milestone in strengthening regional economic integration while providing opportunities for inclusive, sustainable, and highly competitive growth in the Asia-Pacific, he added.

Santoso also stressed the need to encourage the utilization and modernization of ASEAN Plus One FTAs and the importance of strengthening cross-pillar coordination between economic and security sectors to address global geoeconomic and geopolitical dynamics.

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