Canada's International Trade Minister says he aims to establish duty-free access for up to 95 per cent of its exports to Indonesia over the next eight to 12 months.
The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement is Canada’s first in the economically crucial Indo-Pacific region since Prime Minister Mark Carney took charge earlier this year with a promise to diversify Canada’s exports away from the U.S.
Canada’s exports to Indonesia include cereals, oilseeds, wood pulp, fertilizers and machinery.
Indonesia is also Canada’s second-largest buyer of non-durum wheat, with 2.4 million tonnes bought in 2023.
Indonesia is Canada’s biggest export market in Southeast Asia, giving Canada a gateway to the fast-growing region.
Canada is also looking to strike a deal with the Philippines as part of their Southeast Asian outreach soon.
