Prabowo and Canadian PM Discuss New Cooperation Opportunities After ICA-CEPA Signing

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney discussed new cooperation opportunities after last year’s signing of the Indonesia-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (ICA-CEPA), according to Canadian Ambassador to Indonesia Jess Dutton. The discussion took place via telephone between the two leaders on Saturday (6/6). ‘PM Carney and President Prabowo identified opportunities to deepen trade cooperation between Canada and Indonesia, including in the context of ICA-CEPA,’ Ambassador Dutton said regarding the conversation. In addition to post-trade deal economic cooperation, the two leaders also discussed the dynamics of the conflict in the Middle East and its impact on energy markets and the global economy, he said. The Canadian Ambassador further stated that ICA-CEPA, signed in Ottawa in September 2025, is the first bilateral trade agreement Canada has established with an ASEAN member country. With the implementation of the trade agreement, Canada will find it easier to export its key commodities to Indonesia, including wheat, potash, timber, and soybeans. Moreover, the agreement provides a basis for tariff reductions or exemptions on more than 95 percent of Canadian commodities currently exported to Indonesia, he said. Ambassador Dutton revealed that as of May 2026, the Canadian Parliament had completed the ICA-CEPA ratification process. With Canada having finalised its ratification, it is now awaiting progress on the same process in Indonesia. In addition to ICA-CEPA and global dynamics, the Indonesian President and the Canadian PM also discussed the progress of Canada-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement negotiations during their conversation. ‘PM Carney welcomed Indonesia’s continued support in advancing this shared objective,’ Ambassador Dutton added. ICA-CEPA was signed by representatives of the two countries in Ottawa, Canada, on 24 September 2025, witnessed by President Prabowo Subianto and PM Mark Carney. The implementation of ICA-CEPA is projected to boost Indonesian exports to Canada to 11.8 billion US dollars by 2030, with an additional national GDP growth of 0.12 percent and an investment increase of 0.38 percent.