Indonesia Urges Continued Trade Talks with Sri Lanka

Indonesia has strongly urged the continuation of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Sri Lanka. This aims to further strengthen economic ties between the two countries and expand trade and investment opportunities. The Indonesian Ministry of Trade emphasized that the FTA negotiations with Sri Lanka are a crucial step towards regional economic integration and sustainable economic growth. Indonesia, in particular, seeks to promote its exports by expanding access to the Sri Lankan market. However, Sri Lanka has indicated a cautious stance, considering the current economic challenges it faces. Sri Lanka is working on economic recovery with support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and has expressed the view that domestic industry impact and considerations for public welfare are essential when concluding new trade agreements. While understanding Sri Lanka's economic situation, Indonesia maintains its stance of prioritizing continuous dialogue to find mutually beneficial agreements without pausing negotiations. Both countries are expected to continue technical discussions and efforts towards consensus building. Source: Antara News (English)