To Expand Export Markets, Indonesia Targets Trade Cooperation with the UK

To expand export markets, Indonesia is targeting trade cooperation with the United Kingdom. Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The government continues to promote the expansion of new export market shares, including to countries in Europe. This is done to maintain the momentum of economic growth, especially amid global uncertainties. Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto revealed that one of the targeted European countries is the United Kingdom. Together with the United Kingdom, Airlangga disclosed that they are currently in the process of moving towards a bilateral trade agreement in the form of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) or Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). “Regarding the government’s steps related to exports, one of them is to open wider markets in this uncertainty,” said Airlangga during a press conference at the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy office in Jakarta on Tuesday (5/5/2026). “With the United Kingdom itself, we have an agreement related to the economic growth partnership, and this will proceed towards an FTA or CEPA. So in this regard, we will continue to open it up,” Airlangga continued. Earlier this year, Coordinating Minister Airlangga met with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade (DBT) of the United Kingdom, The Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, and signed the Arrangement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Indonesia to Establish an Economic Growth Partnership (EGP) in London on Monday (19/01/2026). The signing of this strategic economic cooperation document is an important step in deepening bilateral economic relations between Indonesia and the United Kingdom, which is also one of the main pillars in the Accord for a New Indonesia-United Kingdom Strategic Partnership launched by President Prabowo Subianto and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Coordinating Minister Airlangga stated that this strategic economic cooperation serves as a very important foundation to promote economic cooperation, trade, investment, and innovation between Indonesia and the United Kingdom. This partnership aligns with President Prabowo Subianto’s directives to achieve an 8% economic growth target, which requires substantial support from trade and investment, particularly from the private sector and other international strategic partners. “The strategic economic cooperation document is a concrete manifestation of the commitment of both countries in building inclusive, sustainable, and mutually beneficial economic growth,” said Coordinating Minister Airlangga, quoted from the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy’s release, quoted on Wednesday (6/5/2026). The agreement is also designed as a practical and business-oriented cooperation framework, covering priority sectors such as clean energy, digital economy, finance, education, infrastructure and transportation, agriculture and food, health and life sciences, supply chain strengthening, as well as trade and sustainable development. Through this partnership, Indonesia and the United Kingdom are expected to optimally utilise each other’s economic potential amid global economic dynamics.