..the agreement’s primary objective is to enhance consumer health protection while facilitating trade in safe food across the ASEAN region by harmonizing regulations..Jakarta (ANTARA) – Trade Minister Budi Santoso stated that the ratification of the ASEAN Food Safety Regulatory Framework Agreement (AFSRFA) could boost Indonesia’s food trade balance by up to US$634.83 million.The agreement is expected to achieve this by harmonizing food safety standards, thereby streamlining trade and investment flows across the ASEAN region.During a meeting with Commission VI of the House of Representatives (DPR) monitored online in Jakarta on Tuesday, Budi noted that the agreement is also projected to generate US$252.17 million in national welfare gains.”According to a study conducted by the Ministry of Trade, this agreement will boost investment flows into the food sector by lowering compliance costs, stabilizing domestic food prices, and increasing Indonesian purchasing power,” he remarked.With the agreement in place, Budi added, Indonesia is projected to see export growth in several key commodity groups, including agricultural products, vegetable oils and fats, and processed food products.He explained that the AFSRFA establishes technical aspects and cooperation for implementing the ASEAN Food Safety Policy (AFSP).According to him, the agreement's primary objective is to enhance consumer health protection while facilitating trade in safe food across the ASEAN region by harmonizing regulations and the removal of technical barriers.Budi noted that the agreement's scope covers requirements, procedures, and coordination mechanisms for implementing food safety standards throughout the regional food supply chain in the ASEAN region.He assessed that regulatory harmonization will provide certainty for businesses, thereby lowering compliance costs while enhancing the competitiveness of Indonesian food products in the regional market.To ensure effective implementation of the agreement, the government has prepared several mitigation measures, including drafting and aligning laws and regulations to serve as the legal foundation.Additionally, the government will develop an automated system for Certificates of Origin (SKA) to enable exporters to automatically utilize preferential tariff facilities under various trade agreements.The government will also strengthen trade remedy policies and governance to protect domestic industries, step up outreach to stakeholders to ensure the agreement's benefits are maximized, and accelerate the digitalization of traceability-based food safety systems to support Indonesia's integration into the ASEAN food trade network.