JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS – Indonesia and Switzerland are exploring expanded legal cooperation, including the possibility of extradition agreements, as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral ties. Indonesia’s Minister of Law and Human Rights, Supratman Andi Agtas, expressed openness to this collaboration during a meeting with Swiss Ambassador Oliver Zehnder in Jakarta on Wednesday, February 26, 2025.

The discussions focused on enhancing mutual legal assistance (MLA), building on an existing agreement signed in 2019.

Supratman emphasized the importance of preparing for future challenges, stating, “While there are no current issues, we must prepare for any possibilities that may arise.” He highlighted the need for a comprehensive legal framework to ensure smooth cooperation, particularly in extradition cases.

The meeting also addressed economic cooperation, with Supratman underscoring Indonesia’s commitment to improving its investment climate. He pointed to recent reforms, such as the implementation of the Online Single Submission (OSS) system, which streamlines business licensing processes.

By 2026, the Ministry of Law and Human Rights aims to digitize 500 services, making it easier for foreign investors, including those from Switzerland, to operate in Indonesia. Supratman also highlighted the potential for Switzerland to play a significant role in Indonesia’s economic growth, particularly in the downstreaming (hilirisasi) of raw materials.

He noted that Indonesia’s high-quality raw materials could serve as a gateway for Swiss investment in agriculture and industry, enabling Indonesian products to gain better access to European markets.

Ambassador Oliver Zehnder welcomed the opportunity to deepen bilateral ties, particularly in investment. He mentioned recent productive discussions with Indonesia’s Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Zehnder expressed optimism about the roadmap for economic growth between the two countries, stating, “We hope to make investing in Indonesia even more accessible for Swiss businesses.” The discussions also touched on the Indonesia–European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IE-CEPA), which has facilitated trade and investment between Indonesia and Switzerland.

Supratman emphasized the Ministry of Law and Human Rights’ role in ensuring legal certainty for foreign investments, which he believes will further boost economic cooperation.

Both parties expressed optimism about the future of Indonesia-Switzerland relations. Supratman reiterated his hope that Switzerland would become one of Indonesia’s largest investors in trade and industry, while Zehnder reaffirmed Switzerland’s commitment to strengthening ties and exploring new opportunities for collaboration.

The meeting concluded with a shared vision of enhanced legal and economic cooperation, paving the way for a stronger partnership between Indonesia and Switzerland. As both nations continue to work together, the focus remains on creating a stable and mutually beneficial relationship that addresses both current and future challenges.

The discussions mark a significant step forward in deepening the ties between the two countries, with a particular emphasis on legal and economic collaboration. (Uki Ruknuddin)

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