Jakarta, February 10, 2026 – The Canada-in-Asia Conference 2026 (CIAC2026) highlighted how the Indonesia–Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (ICA CEPA), signed in September 2025, is being translated into concrete opportunities for Indonesian businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The session follows the momentum from the ABAC side event, where KADIN Indonesia and the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation on ICA CEPA implementation, signaling a coordinated push to move from high-level agreements to actionable initiatives.
KII and Mas Mulya: Driving Business Readiness
For the KADIN Indonesia Institute (KII), the mission is clear: equip Indonesian businesses to fully leverage ICA CEPA.
Mas Mulya, Executive Director of KII, leads efforts to:
- Strengthen business capacities to navigate trade mechanisms and seize export-import opportunities.
- Conduct policy research to ensure ICA CEPA implementation aligns with business priorities.
- Facilitate cross-sector collaboration, spanning agribusiness, energy transition, digital infrastructure, and data centers.
Through KII, Indonesian businesses gain a vital bridge to government policymakers, investors, and business associations, ensuring ICA CEPA translates into tangible economic impact.
From Policy to Practice: CIAC 2026 Panel
The CIAC 2026 panel brought together top government officials, business leaders, and trade experts to explore how ICA CEPA can be fully implemented. Key speakers included H.E. Jess Dutton, Ambassador of Canada to Indonesia; Ridha D. M. Wirakusumah, CEO of Indonesia Investment Authority (INA); and Djatmiko B. Witjaksono, Director General of International Trade Negotiations at Indonesia’s Ministry of Trade.
Business perspectives were represented by Wayne Farmer, President of the Canada-ASEAN Business Council, and Devi Erna Rachmawati, Vice Chairwoman for Agriculture at KADIN, who shared insights on agribusiness and SME opportunities.
Moderated by Barrett Bingley of APF Canada, the session fostered an interactive dialogue, allowing participants to discuss real-world success stories, challenges, and strategies for navigating the Indonesia-Canada trade and investment landscape. The discussion emphasized sectors such as high-value agribusiness, energy transition, digital infrastructure, and logistics, demonstrating how ICA CEPA can drive practical benefits for businesses on the ground.
Key Takeaway: ICA CEPA’s value lies not only in its signing but in its active use and oversight. Under the guidance of KII and Mas Mulya, Indonesian businesses are poised to transform high-level agreements into concrete opportunities, strengthening trade, building resilient supply chains, and advancing bilateral economic cooperation.
