Jakarta. Senior economic minister Airlangga Hartarto recently met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for talks on beefing up trade and investment.

The meeting followed Carney's phone call with President Prabowo Subianto in June, where both leaders talked of deepening economic ties. Enthusiasm also soared high for the upcoming Indonesia-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (ICA-CEPA).

Airlangga described this deal as a new chapter in relations. Businesses of both nations, namely those in food, energy, and critical minerals, can take advantage of this agreement.

"Indonesia is ready to serve as a strategic partner to Canada and is open to expanding cooperation across various key sectors of mutual interest," Airlangga said.

Airlangga also told Carney that Indonesia is ASEAN's largest economy. Jakarta also views Canada as a key partner in strengthening its engagement in the Indo-Pacific.

On food and energy, both parties explored opportunities to bolster supply resilience, including potential investment in potash to meet national fertilizer needs and partnerships in the oil and gas industry.

Discussions also covered follow-up actions regarding critical minerals cooperation initiated under the ICA-CEPA framework, given that both nations are producers of critical minerals with a shared interest in establishing secure and sustainable supply chains.

Indonesia also signaled interest in working with Canada on nuclear energy and small modular reactors.

Indonesian Ambassador to Canada Muhsin Syihab, who attended the meeting, will follow up on the outcomes through further coordination with local authorities.

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