Jeju, May 17, 2025 – The Europe Today: Indonesian Trade Minister Budi Santoso and New Zealand’s Minister for Trade Todd McClay held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 2025 APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meeting, exploring enhanced cooperation in agriculture and broader trade relations.
The dialogue focused on supporting Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program through strategic collaboration in the agricultural and horticultural sectors. Minister Santoso acknowledged New Zealand’s commitment to contributing to the initiative, which aims to improve food security and child nutrition across Indonesia.
“Indonesia appreciates New Zealand’s commitment to supporting the MBG program through agricultural and horticultural cooperation,” Santoso stated, according to a release from the Trade Ministry.
Broader Trade Cooperation in Focus
Minister Santoso also encouraged New Zealand to expand market access for Indonesian micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). He emphasized the importance of inclusive trade policies that benefit smaller economic actors and contribute to sustainable growth.
In a strategic push to integrate Indonesia further into global trade frameworks, Santoso called for New Zealand’s support in establishing a working group to facilitate Indonesia’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
“The working group is expected to serve as a platform for discussions on goods, services, and investment,” he explained, highlighting Indonesia’s ambition to align with progressive and rules-based trade systems.
Support for OECD Accession
The Indonesian minister also expressed appreciation for New Zealand’s backing of Indonesia’s accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which is targeted for completion by 2027.
He requested technical support from Wellington for the ongoing policy reviews and legal reforms required for OECD membership, reaffirming Indonesia’s commitment to international economic integration and policy advancement.
“The Indonesian government remains committed to stepping up its economic ties with New Zealand and other nations to achieve national development goals,” Santoso said.
New Zealand’s Response
Minister McClay responded positively, underscoring New Zealand’s readiness to strengthen bilateral relations and share expertise in agriculture to bolster Indonesia’s food security and public nutrition efforts.
“We see agricultural cooperation as a vital bridge between our countries and a path to improving the nutritional status of the Indonesian people,” McClay noted.
The meeting reflects growing alignment between Indonesia and New Zealand in trade, food security, and economic policy—marking another step toward deeper regional cooperation in the Asia-Pacific.
