Indonesia Intensifies Push to Maximize Indonesia-Korea CEPA Amid Global Trade Uncertainty
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Indonesia is accelerating its efforts to leverage the Indonesia–Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IK-CEPA) to bolster bilateral trade with South Korea in the face of escalating global trade tensions, Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan said in a statement issued Saturday.
In a bid to enhance trade efficiency and transparency, Minister Hasan underscored Indonesia’s support for the implementation of an Electronic Origin Data Exchange System (EODES), which facilitates the exchange of electronic certificates of origin between both nations. The EODES was officially launched in March 2024.
“Indonesia will push for various efforts to enable it to diversify its export markets, including South Korea, amid the increasing global trade tension,” Hasan noted.
To further optimize the benefits of IK-CEPA, particularly in the trade in services, Indonesia has introduced a proposal for a Special Scheme for Professionals (SSP). The initiative seeks to facilitate access for Indonesian professionals to the South Korean labor market, with an initial focus on the information technology and software development sectors.
Minister Hasan expressed appreciation for South Korea’s readiness to begin preliminary studies on the SSP and establish collaboration with industry associations relevant to the scheme. He emphasized the mutual benefits of this arrangement for enhancing technological collaboration and human resource development between the two countries.
“Indonesia appreciates South Korea’s willingness to implement the special scheme for Indonesian professionals within the IK-CEPA framework. We hope that the scheme can get implemented sooner,” he stated.
In addition to CEPA-related discussions, Minister Hasan also met with South Korean Trade Minister Inkyo Cheong to deliberate Indonesia’s accession process to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Minister Hasan welcomed the broad support Indonesia has received from OECD member states, including South Korea, and highlighted the potential benefits of OECD membership. These include improvements in policy quality, administrative governance, and diplomatic standing, alongside expected growth in investment flows from OECD member countries.
“Indonesia expects South Korea’s support in the form of technical assistance at the technical review stage and expert assistance, especially in assisting the accession stage, considering South Korea’s active role in developing OECD legal instruments,” he added.
The meeting reinforced the strong and strategic economic partnership between Indonesia and South Korea, with both sides committing to expand cooperation across trade, investment, and professional mobility sectors under the IK-CEPA framework.
