Jakarta - The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin Indonesia) held the Russia–Indonesia Workshop on the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)–Indonesia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in Practice: Rules, Procedures and Tips for Businesses at Kadin Indonesia Tower, Kuningan, South Jakarta, on Friday (April 10, 2026).

The event featured the Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Ilichev, to discuss the implementation of the free trade agreement (FTA) signed by Indonesia at the end of 2025.

Kadin Indonesia Vice Chairman for Trade and International Agreements, Pahala Mansury, stated that the workshop serves as a concrete step to encourage domestic businesses to utilize the agreement.

“Indonesia has signed an FTA with the member states of the Eurasian Economic Community, and it is expected that trade could double within three years,” said Pahala.

He noted that Indonesia’s trade value with EAEU countries (Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia) currently stands at around US$5 billion. With tariff reductions and the easing of non-tariff barriers, trade growth is considered highly achievable in the coming years.

Pahala explained that there are three key sectors with strong potential to drive trade growth: food-related commodities, energy and mineral downstreaming, and labor-intensive industries.

“There are three sectors, namely food-related commodities such as CPO, wheat, and fertilizers; the energy sector, including mineral downstreaming; as well as labor-intensive industries such as textiles, garments, machinery, and electronics,” he said.

However, he acknowledged that several challenges remain in implementing the cooperation, particularly in payment systems and cross-border financial infrastructure. As a solution, Pahala suggested that financial technology could help bridge these gaps.

“Fintech such as blockchain, digital assets, and crypto could be part of the solution,” he said.

In addition, strengthening supply chain infrastructure—such as logistics, shipping, and storage—is also considered crucial to ensure the optimal realization of the partnership’s potential.

Meanwhile, Director General of International Trade Negotiations at the Ministry of Trade, Djatmiko Bris Witjaksono, who represented Indonesia’s Vice Minister of Trade Dyah Roro Esti, stated that Indonesia still ranks below several ASEAN countries in terms of trade value with the EAEU.

“Indonesia is currently the third-largest trading partner of the EAEU within ASEAN,” he said.

He added that in terms of investment, Indonesia also lags behind Thailand and Vietnam in attracting investment flows from the region.

“Thailand and Vietnam are still leading the region compared to Indonesia,” he said.

Nevertheless, he emphasized that the Indonesia-EAEU FTA serves as a strategic platform to enhance economic partnership between the two regions, supported by Indonesia’s large domestic market, growing middle class, and commitment to industrial development and regulatory reform.

“Going forward, Indonesia stands ready to further strengthen its role and deepen cooperation with the EAEU, with the aim of becoming the primary strategic partner in ASEAN through increased trade,” he concluded.

Also present at the event were Kadin Indonesia Vice Chairwoman for Agriculture Devi Erna Rachmawati, Vice Chairman for Investment Cooperation with Regional Governments Zulnahar Usman, and Chairman of the Russia–Belarus Bilateral Committee Didit Ratam.