Indonesia moves closer to CPTPP membership with accession talks

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Preparatory discussions have begun for Indonesia’s aspired accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto confirmed.

CPTPP member states agreed to launch the discussion process for Indonesia, the Philippines, and the United Arab Emirates during the 10th commission meeting, held virtually on June 26, according to a statement cited in Jakarta on Friday.

Airlangga voiced confidence in smooth accession, highlighting Indonesia’s established alignment with most CPTPP requirements, as evidenced by its commitment to similar principles within international frameworks such as WTO, ASEAN, RCEP, and OECD.

“Therefore, we only need to make some statutory adjustments to fulfill our commitment at CPTPP,” he added.

He explained that the discussion phase serves as a prelude to the establishment of an accession working group, which will help facilitate Indonesia in achieving its target of securing full CPTPP membership by 2027.

To date, Indonesia has synchronized domestic regulations with CPTPP provisions across 22 chapters and deposited a questionnaire as an aspiring country to New Zealand, the depository country, on May 12 last year.

The minister underscored that Indonesia had secured backing from the United Kingdom to accede to CPTPP, whose 12 member states account for 15 percent of global GDP with a combined population of nearly 600 million.

He noted that the British support is reflected in the signing of the Indonesia-UK Economic Growth Partnership on January 19, 2026, a deal he described as proof of a shared commitment to inclusive, sustainable, and mutually beneficial development.

CPTPP membership carries great significance for Indonesia, he added, saying that it is expected to broaden export markets, increase trade and investment, and strengthen the country’s foothold in regional and global value chains.

Airlangga emphasized business actors would gain wide benefits from the accession, as a seat at CPTPP could pave the way for simplified customs procedures, modernized digital trade regulations, stronger protection for investment and intellectual properties, and the implementation of rules of origin.

“Indonesians can also expect the membership to lead to diversified products at more competitive prices,” the minister added.

He also underscored the government’s readiness to forge more bilateral free trade agreements while pressing ahead with the accession process.

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Translator: Bayu Saputra, Tegar Nurfitra

Editor: Azis Kurmala

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