The General Authority for Foreign Trade represented by Deputy Governor of International Organisations and Agreements Fareed Alasaly, headed the Saudi negotiating team in the first round of free trade agreement negotiations between the GCC countries and the Republic of Indonesia, held in Jakarta, Indonesia, on September 9–13, 2024.
The Saudi negotiating team oversees and monitors the trade negotiations to ensure that they are consistent with the Kingdom's trade objectives and policies, participates in trade negotiations to incorporate the Kingdom's negotiating positions, and coordinates with countries with similar or similar trends in international trade.
The Saudi negotiating team consists of 9 technical teams (goods, services, investment, general texts and provisions, electronic commerce, intellectual property, government procurement, rules of origin, and economic evaluation). These teams participate with 46 governmental entities, prepare and coordinate the Kingdom's negotiations, initiatives, proposals at the World Trade Organisation and free trade agreements, and report back to the Saudi negotiating group.
Trade between Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Indonesia reached about US $7 billion in 2023. Mineral and organic chemical products were the most exported Saudi commodities, and vehicles and parts thereof, grease and animal or vegetable oils were among Indonesia's most imported commodities.
GAFT promotes the Kingdom's international trade gains, increasing its international presence and active participation in many international organisations to ensure the achievement of common goals and sustainable development.