Indonesia-Tunisia Trade Agreement Targeted for Signing This Year

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Indonesia’s Minister of Trade Budi Santoso has stated that the government continues to expand Indonesian export market access abroad through various trade agreements. One agreement targeted for completion and signature this year is a trade accord between Indonesia and Tunisia, specifically the Indonesia-Tunisia Preferential Trade Agreement (IT-PTA).

Budi noted that trade agreements are an important instrument for boosting national export growth amid global trade dynamics. A PTA is an agreement between two or more countries designed to lower tariff barriers for certain products from partner nations, making them lower than tariffs on other nations’ products, though not eliminating them entirely.

“We want our exports to increase—how can we do that? One way is to secure numerous trade agreements that can open our market access abroad,” Budi said during the launch of the 41st Trade Expo Indonesia 2026 at the Trade Ministry’s Auditorium in Jakarta on Thursday (26 February 2026).

He explained that throughout last year, Indonesia completed several trade agreements with strategic partners. This approach, he said, will continue to unlock broader market opportunities for domestic products.

“Last year we finalised several trade agreements such as Indonesia-EU CEPA, then Indonesia-Canada CEPA, Indonesia-EAEU FTA, and Indonesia-Peru CEPA, and very soon the Indonesia-Tunisia PTA will be signed,” he said.

According to Budi, the government hopes these trade agreements will not only proceed to the signature stage but be rapidly implemented so that their benefits are immediately felt by businesses.

“Hopefully the implementation can begin this year, creating many new market opportunities that we have opened,” he added.

Tunisia is one of Africa’s leading countries, with a population of approximately 12.2 million. In 2023, the country had a gross domestic product (GDP) per capita of US$3,977.7. Indonesia and Tunisia are currently finalising negotiations on the Indonesia-Tunisia Preferential Trade Agreement (IT-PTA), targeted for completion this year.

The agreement is expected to strengthen bilateral trade relations whilst opening new opportunities for Indonesian export products to enter the North African market.