Indonesia Strengthens ASEAN Trade and Investment Cooperation
Indonesia continues to strengthen cooperation in trade and investment with countries in the Southeast Asian (ASEAN) region. This initiative is being realised through a series of bilateral meetings.
Deputy Trade Minister Dyah Roro Esti met with several strategic partners during the 32nd ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) Retreat in Taguig, Philippines, on Friday, 13 March 2026.
The meetings included discussions with Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade and Industry, Gan Kim Yong, as well as Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Sim Tze Tzin.
The primary focus of these meetings was strengthening trade and investment cooperation across the ASEAN region.
The meeting with Singapore highlighted positive developments in bilateral trade relations. Data showed that trade value between Indonesia and Singapore has increased significantly over the past five years, rising 14.6 per cent, from US$16.85 billion in 2020 to US$19.32 billion in 2025.
“Indonesia-Singapore trade relations demonstrate very positive developments. Going forward, we see great opportunities to expand cooperation, particularly in promoting Indonesian exports with higher added value,” said Roro in a press statement on Sunday, 15 March 2026.
Indonesia also reaffirmed its commitment to continuing the accession process for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Roro regarded CPTPP as a modern trade framework that can strengthen economic integration in the Indo-Pacific region and expand market access for Indonesian products.
“Indonesia is committed to continuing the CPTPP accession process as part of the national economic transformation agenda and to strengthen Indonesia’s integration into a rules-based global trading system,” she said.
Additionally, discussions covered developments in negotiations for the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) and the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Indonesia is pushing for strengthening these regional economic initiatives to support inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the region.
The meeting with Malaysia focused on strengthening bilateral trade relations. Data showed that total trade value between Indonesia and Malaysia reached US$24.22 billion in 2025. Discussions also included opportunities for market access expansion, enhanced cooperation in high-value-added sectors, and strengthening bilateral cooperation mechanisms through the Joint Trade and Investment Committee (JTIC) and investment cooperation through the Malaysia–Indonesia Investment Committee (MIIC).
Cross-border trade cooperation, including implementation of the 2023 Border Trade Agreement (BTA) and acceleration of normalising cross-border trade in the Entikong–Tebedu region, also received attention.
This series of bilateral meetings reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to strengthening open and inclusive trade cooperation, with the hope of driving economic growth in the ASEAN region.
“Indonesia and Malaysia have strong trade relations. We see many opportunities to expand cooperation, including through increased high-value-added trade and strengthened economic connectivity in the border region,” concluded Roro Esti.