Indonesia Pushes for Stronger Trade Ties with Thailand, Aims for Bilateral Agreement

Indonesia's Trade Minister, Zulkifli Hasan, has expressed his intention to strengthen negotiations towards the conclusion of a bilateral trade agreement with Thailand. This initiative aims to further deepen economic relations between the two nations, reduce trade barriers, and boost investment. During a meeting with Thailand's Minister of Commerce, Jurin Laksanawisit, Minister Hasan emphasized the importance of concluding this agreement. Both countries are members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and play a significant role in regional economic integration. The current negotiations aim to complement the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) framework and build a more direct and efficient bilateral trade relationship. Upon its conclusion, the agreement is expected to lead to the reduction of tariffs and non-tariff barriers, simplification of procedures, and improvement of the investment climate. This will allow Indonesia to expand its access to the Thai market, while Thailand can more easily penetrate Indonesia's vast market. Enhanced cooperation is particularly anticipated in sectors such as agricultural products, automotive parts, and textiles. Indonesia places importance on intra-ASEAN trade, and strengthening ties with Thailand is a key strategy for the country to establish its position as a regional economic hub. Both nations are committed to continuing their cooperation to address common challenges and promote mutual economic growth.