Jakarta (ANTARA) - Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas is considering the possibility of expanding comprehensive mutual legal assistance (MLA) cooperation on extradition with Switzerland.
"Although there are currently no issues in our bilateral relations, we must anticipate potential developments, as anything can happen in the future," Agtas said during a meeting with the Swiss Ambassador to Indonesia, Olivier Zehnder, on Wednesday (February 26, 2025).
He noted that Indonesia and Switzerland signed an MLA agreement in 2019.
The MLA is expected to be expanded beyond legal affairs to cover other areas of cooperation.
Agtas also expressed hope that Switzerland would participate in the Indonesian government’s priority programs, particularly in the downstream sector.
He highlighted Indonesia's recent business licensing reforms through the Online Single Submission (OSS) system, which aims to facilitate ease of doing business.
"We are determined that by 2026, as many as 500 services at the Ministry of Law will all be carried out digitally. Of course, that will make it easier for Switzerland to invest," he said.
Furthermore, he described the cooperation between Indonesia and Switzerland through the Indonesia-EFTA CEPA as a good initiative that needs to be improved.
During the Indonesia-EFTA CEPA negotiations, the Ministry of Law played a crucial role in drafting regulations to ensure that incoming investments are secure and supported by legal certainty, he added.
Agtas expressed hope that, given the strong bilateral relations, Switzerland could become one of Indonesia's largest investors in trade and industry.
"We have high-quality raw materials, and we are confident that Switzerland can serve as a gateway for Indonesian agricultural products, helping them gain broader acceptance across Europe," he explained.
In response, Ambassador Zehnder said that he has held discussions with some Indonesian ministries as well as the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry to identify promising investment opportunities.
"We also discussed the road map for economic growth in both countries, so we hope that it will be easier for Switzerland to invest in Indonesia," he added.
