Ministry of Trade Prepares Automation of Certificates of Origin and Digital Food Traceability System

The Ministry of Trade ("Kemendag") is preparing to develop an automated Certificate of Origin (Surat Keterangan Asal – “SKA”) issuance system and a digital food safety system based on traceability, in line with several international trade agreements that are currently undergoing the ratification process.

Minister of Trade Budi Santoso emphasized the importance of improving efficiency so that the positive economic benefits of these initiatives can be realized by business actors as soon as possible. "We hope that all trade agreements currently undergoing ratification can be finalized promptly and implemented without delay," he stated.

The automation of the SKA system is intended to enable Indonesian exporters to automatically benefit from preferential tariff facilities, including reductions or exemptions from import duties. This initiative is being developed to support the implementation of the Indonesia–Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement ("Indonesia–EAEU FTA") and the Second Protocol to the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement ("ATIGA").

Kemendag is also prioritizing the acceleration of food safety digitalization through the implementation of traceability technology. This initiative is expected to serve as a key instrument in supporting the ASEAN Food Safety Regulatory Framework ("AFSRF") Agreement, which seeks to harmonize Indonesia's national food safety standards with the regional food safety network.

Through the integration of these digital regulatory systems, Budi expressed his hope that Indonesian food commodities will have transparent, secure, and globally recognized traceability records.

"This will serve as a strategic instrument for expanding trade opportunities and delivering the broadest possible benefits to Indonesia's economic growth," he concluded.