Indonesia, Chile pledge to conclude CEPA negotiation this year

The governments of Indonesia and Chile on Friday expected to complete the negotiation of comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) between the two nations at the end of this year.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo met with his Chilean counterpart Veronica Michelle Bachelet at the State Palace on Friday, pledging to bring bilateral cooperation on trade, investment and maritime to a higher level.

"We expect the negotiation on CEPA cooperation, particularly on trade and goods can be concluded this year," President Widodo said.

The president disclosed that Chile is the third biggest trade partner for Indonesia in South America, which is a potential non-traditional market for Indonesia's products.

Chile is a hub for Indonesia's products to enter the markets in the Latin America, according to Indonesian trade ministry.

"The issues of trade and investment are the major topic in our meeting. Currently Indonesia is attempting to boost trade and investment, Chile is one of the priorities," President Widodo said.

Michele kicked off her two-day visit in Indonesia on Thursday by bringing scores of heads of business organizations and businessmen.

The trade volume between Indonesia and Chile was 227.15 million U.S. dollars in 2016 with Indonesia's total export 143.81 million dollars, according to data from Indonesian trade ministry.

Indonesia exports footwear, automotive products, derivative product of crude palm oil and vegetable oil to Chile, and imports coppers and foods for fish from the country, according to the ministry. Endit