Indonesia and Pakistan to Strengthen Economic Ties

Upgrade of Trade Agreement to CEPA Planned for 2027

Indonesia is pushing to expand its trade agreement with Pakistan, with Vice Minister of Trade Dyah Roro Esti meeting Pakistan's First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari to discuss the upgrade. The current Indonesia-Pakistan Preferential Trade Agreement (IP-PTA) is set to be elevated to a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) by 2027. This development follows President Prabowo Subianto's visit to Pakistan in December last year, which focused on strengthening bilateral economic cooperation.

Potential Economic Benefits

The planned upgrade to CEPA is expected to provide greater certainty for businesses and create new opportunities for increased trade and investment between Indonesia and Pakistan. Dyah Roro Esti emphasized that the enhanced agreement would benefit both countries by opening up new avenues for economic collaboration. The move is part of Indonesia's broader strategy to strengthen its economic ties with key partners in the region and beyond.