Jakarta, Oct. 26 -- Trade Minister Budi Santoso expressed hope that negotiations for the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will be completed in 2026 to expand market access, drive innovation, and strengthen supply chain connectivity.

The statement was made during the ASEAN Joint Foreign and Economic Ministers Meeting, held on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

"ASEAN is currently negotiating the ASEAN-Canada FTA, and Indonesia expects the process can be finalized in 2026," he said in a press release here on Sunday.

According to him, moving forward, ASEAN should also explore new partnerships with strategic partners such as the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to strengthen region...