Indonesia Pushes for New Trade Talks With Egypt This Year

Indonesia is actively seeking to strengthen its economic relationship with Egypt, proposing to hold the second Indonesia-Egypt Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting in 2026. The primary goal is to deepen trade and investment ties and explore new bilateral trade agreements.

Indonesian Trade Minister Budi Santoso put forward the proposal during a meeting with Egypt's Investment and Foreign Trade Minister Mohamed Farid Saleh. The discussion focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation, including initiating negotiations for a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Santoso expressed hope that these agreements would further solidify trade and investment commitments between the two nations.

To expedite the process, Indonesia is encouraging the scheduling of the second JTC meeting for 2026 and suggested online discussions as an interim measure. The two countries have a history of exploring trade agreements, reinforced by a Joint Statement on Strategic Partnership signed in April 2025. Egypt's minister supported the proposal, emphasizing the need for prompt action and greater private-sector involvement, and suggested joint ventures in the garment industry and facilitating agricultural trade.

Bilateral trade between Indonesia and Egypt reached $1.74 billion in the first half of 2026. Indonesia's exports to Egypt amounted to $1.09 billion, while imports were $647.7 million. In 2025, total bilateral trade was $2.38 billion, with Indonesia enjoying a significant trade surplus of $1.50 billion.

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We hope the commitment to trade and investment between the two countries can be further strengthened by starting negotiations under the PTA and FTA frameworks. To accelerate the negotiations, Indonesia is encouraging the second JTC meeting to be scheduled for 2026.