“The trade agreement with Tunisia is set to be signed in January. The agreement has been finalized; it is only a matter of time,” he stated at the Expansion of Export Markets to Peru and Tunisia forum on Tuesday.
The PTA covers expanded market access for goods, including tariff reductions and eliminations, as well as non-tariff provisions such as standardization, anti-dumping measures, counter-trade, customs procedures, and trade facilitation.
Santoso emphasized that the agreement will create opportunities to diversify and expand Indonesia’s export market into North Africa and the Mediterranean.
This potential is reflected in the strong performance of Indonesia–Tunisia trade in 2024, which recorded a total trade value of US$169.3 million, investment of US$1.1 billion, and a 0.9 percent increase in Indonesia’s exports to Tunisia compared to 2023.
The IT-PTA is also expected to strengthen the competitiveness of Indonesian products in Tunisia and expand export opportunities for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through preferential tariffs.
Beyond trade, the agreement is seen as a platform to deepen bilateral cooperation and lay the groundwork for broader economic collaboration.
Santoso urged business players to seize these opportunities to sustain Indonesia’s positive export performance.
Indonesia continues to expand its global market reach in line with its commitment to trade openness and international cooperation.
The country has already concluded several trade agreements, including with the European Union (EU), Canada, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and Peru.
The minister further noted that Indonesia’s export value for January–August 2025 rose by 7.72 percent, reaching US$185.13 billion compared to the same period in 2024.
During that time, Indonesia also recorded a trade surplus of US$29.14 billion, extending its streak of consecutive monthly surpluses to 64.
Translator: Arnidhya Nur, Raka Adji
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
