On 27 January 2026, the Indonesian government — through its Ministry of Trade — held the fourth round of negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Indonesia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Riyadh. The talks, which took place from 18–23 January, focused on advancing key elements of the agreement with the aim of completing the deal within 2026. Officials involved in the negotiations expressed optimism that progress in discussions on trade in goods, services, investment, rules of origin, and cooperation in areas such as the Islamic economy and halal sectors will help accelerate the process toward a substantive conclusion this year. They emphasized Indonesia’s goal to strengthen economic ties with GCC member states — Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar — as part of broader efforts to foster regional integration and trade cooperation.

The FTA’s completion is expected to boost Indonesian exports by up to 17.4%, especially in products like electronics, leather, metal goods, manufactured items, and textiles, as well as in sectors such as air transportation and business services. Total trade between Indonesia and the GCC reached USD 15.45 billion from January through November 2025, with Indonesian exports valued at USD 7.59 billion and imports at USD 7.86 billion during the same period. Indonesia’s negotiators expressed confidence that the ongoing talks and constructive engagement with GCC counterparts will help solidify an agreement that benefits both trading partners and unlocks greater economic opportunities across multiple industries. 
Source: https://www.ice.it/it/news/notizie-dal-mondo/298707