Indonesia and Japan agree on removing more trade barriers

Tokyo to remove tariffs on processed fishery items, sides to improve banking relations

Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, back left, and Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida applaud as Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, front right, and Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi shake hands during a document exchange ceremony on Dec. 16. in Tokyo. © Reuters

December 16, 2023 23:46 JST

JAKARTA (Reuters) -- Indonesia and Japan have agreed on the removal of more trade barriers, Indonesia's foreign minister said on Saturday, after the two countries concluded negotiations on protocols to improve their bilateral economic agreements.

Japan will allow greater access for Indonesian products including by removing tariffs on processed fishery items and the two countries will improve relations in the banking sector, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said in a statement.