Jakarta (ANTARA) – Canadian Ambassador to Indonesia Jess Dutton said Canada is ready to advance and strengthen bilateral cooperation with the new Indonesian government.

“We are delighted to work with the new government (Indonesia), I am sure that Canada… will have a very strong relationship with the new government at all levels,” Ambassador Dutton said in Jakarta on Wednesday evening ( 3/4).

He continued that since 2021, Canada and Indonesia have been negotiating a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) for a free trade agreement.

Negotiations on the deal have entered the seventh stage, Ambassador Dutton said, adding that the negotiations are expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

Additionally, Ambassador Dutton said the embassy plans to host a “Team Canada Trade Mission” event in December 2024, which will bring hundreds of Canadian companies to Indonesia.
Also read: Ministry of Commerce: Indonesia-Canada trade mission meeting generates IDR 26 billion

“So we will have about 150 to 200 companies, led by the Minister of International Trade… who will come to Indonesia to seek opportunities in various sectors… to establish important business relationships,” Ambassador Dutton said.

He also mentioned that Canada has an Indo-Pacific strategy and Indonesia, as one of the pillars of this strategy, is Canada's top priority.

“Canada, as a Pacific country, really needs to get on board with this and partner with our allies and friends in the Indo-Pacific region and, of course, Indonesia is at the top of the list,” he said. Ambassador Dutton.

Ambassador Jess Dutton presented a letter of credence to President Joko Widodo in December 2023. Previously, Ambassador Dutton served as Ambassador to Egypt for three years.

Also read: Minister of Commerce: Indonesia and Canada agree to complete ICA CEPA by the end of 2024
Also read: Canada sees Indonesia as important for its Indo-Pacific strategy