EKONID successfully hosted an Online Roundtable titled “Indonesia-EU CEPA: Legal Implications and Economic Opportunities for Cross-Border Business” via Microsoft Teams on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.
The discussion was aimed at equipping EKONID’s members with a comprehensive understanding of the Indonesia–EU Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (I-EU CEPA) and its legal as well as economic implications for cross-border business activities. The bilateral agreement, which is currently in the legal scrubbing stage, will enter into force by late 2026 or early 2027. While awaiting the agreement’s implementation, businesses should prepare for the significant changes it will introduce.
I-EU CEPA is expected to deliver greater legal certainty, enhanced market access, and new opportunities in priority sectors through the progressive elimination of tariffs starting from the agreement’s entry into force. The agreement also strengthens commitments on investment protection, intellectual property rights, and fair regulatory practices, creating a more transparent and predictable environment for companies operating between Indonesia and the EU.
The event featured two distinguished speakers: Mr. Hans Joostens, Deputy Head of Trade and Economic Section at the EU Delegation to Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam, and Mr. Antonius A. Budiman from the Directorate of Bilateral Negotiations, Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia.
In his presentation, Mr. Hans Joostens spoke on how the I-EU CEPA introduces new frameworks that will affect various sectors differently, including priority industries such as pharmaceuticals, textiles, and palm oil. He highlighted key elements of the agreement that businesses must understand to navigate future cross-border operations, particularly the commitments related to tariff elimination, intellectual property protection, and investment certainty. He also outlined how the agreement will operate in practice, through institutional platforms, regulatory cooperation, and dispute-resolution mechanisms. This provides companies with clearer procedures, predictable rules, and structured avenues for engagement as the agreement moves toward implementation.
Mr. Antonius A. Budiman followed with a 20-minute presentation in which he outlined Indonesia’s commitment to elevate its trade and economic cooperation with the EU to a level comparable to, or even surpassing, the success of the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement. He explained how the agreement aims to strengthen trade flows, enhance market access, and create a more predictable and transparent regulatory environment for both Indonesian and European businesses. Mr. Budiman also highlighted several core elements of the CEPA, such as tariff reduction, sustainable trade, and investment, while noting that both sides retain the right to regulate internally. He emphasised that the agreement is legally binding and supported by institutional platforms that will monitor implementation, facilitate technical discussions, and provide space for private-sector engagement.
The Online Roundtable was attended by representatives from companies in Germany and Indonesia. During the Q&A session, participants engaged in dynamic discussions on several key aspects of the I–EU CEPA. Questions focused on how tariff reductions would be phased in, the alignment of domestic regulations with CEPA commitments, and other sector-specific provisions.
EKONID extends its appreciation to Mr. Hans Joostens and Mr. Antonius A. Budiman for their invaluable contributions to the event. The organization also thanks all participants whose engagement enriched the discussion and made the event a valuable learning experience.