INDONESIA WANTS PREFERENTIAL TRADE AGREEMENTS WITH RWANDA, EAC

Jakarta. Indonesia is exploring the possibility of striking preferential trade agreements with Rwanda and the East African Community (EAC). By Jayanty Nada Shofa

Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi hosts her Rwandan counterpart Vincent Biruta in Jakarta on June 6, 2024. (Photo Courtesy of Foreign Affairs Ministry)

Indonesia expressed the intent to boost trade with the African countries when Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi hosted her Rwandan counterpart Vincent Biruta in Jakarta on Thursday. Retno told Biruta that Indonesia-Rwanda trade still had ample room for growth as trade numbers had been recovering steadily after the pandemic.

“We discussed the establishment of the PTA between Indonesia and Rwanda and explored the possibility of establishing a PTA between Indonesia and the EAC,” Retno told reporters shortly after her meeting with Biruta.

The EAC economic bloc encompasses Congo, Kenya, Somalia, Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania.