Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Minister of Trade Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri emphasized that export market diversification is a government strategy to expand trade reach, not merely a response to United States President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariff policy.
"We are diversifying our export markets. Hence, this is not a response to Trump's policies. We have done this for quite some time," Putri stated during an event on Friday (April 25).
The deputy minister affirmed that the government continues to expand cooperation through several trade agreements, such as the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with various countries.
Putri remarked that the destination countries include Australia, South Korea, the African region, and the Middle East, with the goal of opening new market access for Indonesian products with high competitiveness at the international level.
"These are non-conventional trading partners, but we see the potential in this market," she added.
She stated that Indonesia currently has 21 trade agreements with different partner countries, along with 16 other agreements under negotiation to expand national export opportunities.
The deputy minister highlighted the Indonesia-Canada CEPA as an important agreement, noting its potential to provide access to a market of 51 million people and a gross domestic product (GDP) worth US$2.2 trillion for halal-certified products.
"Halal industry is a big one and has great potential for Canada," she remarked.
In addition, Putri said President Pabowo Subianto and Peruvian President Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra have announced the Indonesia-Peru CEPA as an accord that has reached substantial completion, paving the way for increased exports of products such as palm oil, rubber, pharmaceuticals, and textiles.
Putri noted that the government is also pushing for the completion of a trade agreement with the European Union, with a gross domestic product value of US$18.6 trillion, and is open to environmentally friendly products from Indonesia.
She stated that Indonesia's commitment to the Paris Agreement also supports this cooperation since it is seeking to expand the exports of sustainable products such as furniture, textiles, and new and renewable energy technology.
"We do have a sustainable market in the European Union. The government had carried out many efforts to open access for a sustainable future," she concluded.
