Santoso said that bilateral synergy will strengthen economic resilience and expand the benefits of trade for the community.
“We acknowledged great potential for collaboration in the food and renewable energy sectors, as well as support for MSMEs to penetrate international markets,” he added in a statement released on Friday.
The meeting between the two ministers took place in Jakarta on Thursday and highlighted the global trade situation, particularly unilateral tariff policies against several countries and their impact on businesses in the region.
Santoso said that the two countries agreed on business certainty as a crucial element for maintaining the stability and sustainability of international trade.
The meeting also addressed bilateral trade targets, with the Indonesian minister expressing optimism that the bilateral trade target of NZ$6 billion (US$3.6 billion) for 2029 will be reached.
The target aligns with the Indonesia-New Zealand Comprehensive Partnership Plan of Action (PoA 2025–2029).
“This target can be achieved by utilizing our existing international trade agreements, such as the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP),” Santoso informed.
Meanwhile, Minister McClay expressed the hope that Indonesia and New Zealand will continue to support each other and deepen their existing cooperation, particularly in addressing global dynamics.
“We appreciate our established cooperation with Indonesia and hope this partnership can contribute as a solution amidst global trade uncertainty,” he added.
The total trade between the two countries reached US$963.23 million in January–June 2025, a 21.56-percent increase compared to US$792.39 million in the same period of the previous year.
During January–June 2025, Indonesia’s exports to New Zealand were recorded at US$374.89 million, while its imports from New Zealand stood at US$588.35 million.
Indonesia’s main exports to New Zealand include oilseed meal, coal, monitors and projectors, electrical transformers, and wood.
Meanwhile, its imports from New Zealand consist of milk and cream, radar equipment, butter, cheese and curd, as well as flour, meal, and pellets.
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Translator: Maria Cicilia G P, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
