Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Indonesian government will soon begin comprehensive trade negotiations with the United Kingdom through the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).Trade Minister Budi Santoso confirmed the plan when met in Jakarta on Tuesday, saying the move is part of Indonesia’s strategy to expand market access.“We are scheduling the negotiations soon,” he said.He noted that the government hopes the negotiation process will run effectively, drawing on Indonesia’s experience in concluding similar agreements with other trading partners.Regarding the possibility of tariff reductions or eliminations, Santoso said the outcome will depend on the negotiations and mutual agreement between both parties.In terms of trade balance, Indonesia currently records a surplus with the UK.However, the government emphasized that the main objective of the cooperation is not merely maintaining a surplus, but expanding market options for national products.According to Santoso, broader market access secured through trade agreements gives Indonesian businesses greater flexibility to optimize exports amid global economic dynamics.From January to November 2025, total trade between Indonesia and the UK reached US$2.41 billion, with Indonesian exports amounting to US$1.43 billion and imports totaling US$973.20 million.Previously, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto stated that economic cooperation between Indonesia and the UK under the UK–Indonesia Economic Growth Partnership (EGP) has the potential to be upgraded into a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).He said the EGP is currently in the initial stage of cooperation between the two countries and could later be developed into a more comprehensive framework through a CEPA.“The initial framework, known as the Economic Growth Partnership (EGP), has been signed. The next step is to elevate it into a standalone agreement,” Hartarto said after the 2026 Indonesia Economic Summit (IEC) in Jakarta on Tuesday.Indonesia has also secured an investment commitment from the UK worth approximately £4 billion, equivalent to Rp91.74 trillion.The maritime sector is expected to play a key role in realizing the investment, including the construction of around 1,500 fishing vessels and the development of fishing villages across Indonesia.