September 16, 2025 | 08:13 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Indonesia to Canada, Mushin Syihab, officially presented his Letters of Credence from President Prabowo Subianto to Her Excellency Mary May Simon, Governor General of Canada, in a solemn ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. This event coincided with the opening of the Canadian Parliamentary Session on Monday, September 15, 2025.
This event marks the host country's official recognition of Indonesia's diplomatic mission and signifies a new chapter in Indonesian diplomacy under Ambassador Muhsin's leadership. Three other ambassadors from friendly countries who had just arrived in Canada also attended the state ceremony: Costa Rica, Mauritania, and the Philippines. These ambassadors also presented their Letters of Credence.
In his remarks, Governor General Simon congratulated the four ambassadors. “You arrive in Canada at a time when cross-border collaboration is more crucial than ever. While we are witnessing disruptions around the world, there are also opportunities we can capitalize on. In that spirit, Canada stands ready to be a collaborative partner with your countries," she said.
After that, Governor General Simon and Ambassador Muhsin held a private meeting. During the meeting, Ambassador Muhsin conveyed President Prabowo Subianto's warm greetings and expressed his hope to further strengthen bilateral relations. Both sides also affirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in various fields, including trade, investment, education, the environment, and socio-cultural aspects, such as public diplomacy.
Regarding economic cooperation, Governor General Simon and Ambassador Muhsin highlight the completion of negotiations on the Indonesia-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (ICA-CEPA) at the end of last year. This agreement marks an important milestone in expanding strategic cooperation between the two countries, particularly in exploring untapped potential. "Hopefully, the ICA-CEPA can be signed and ratified soon so that it can quickly have a positive impact on increasing trade and investment volume between the two countries," said Ambassador Muhsin.
In 2024, the total value of trade between Indonesia and Canada was US$3.58 billion, which was a 3.16 percent increase from 2023. Canada's main exports to Indonesia include potash and wheat, while Indonesia's main exports to Canada include machinery and natural rubber. Meanwhile, Canadian investment flows to Indonesia reached US$492 million in 2024, most of which was in the mining sector, a 37 percent increase from the previous year. Through the ICA-CEPA, the two countries' combined GDP will increase by approximately US$1.7 billion, with Indonesia contributing US$1.4 billion and Canada contributing US$328 million.
Regarding people-to-people contact, Ambassador Muhsin emphasized the many similarities between Indonesia and Canada. These include the democratic values espoused by both countries, their flourishing pluralism and multiculturalism, and their deeply rooted tolerance. The growing number of people-to-people connections is evident in the increasing number of Canadian tourists visiting Indonesia. According to Statistics Indonesia (BPS), there has been a steady increase in visits by Canadian citizens to Indonesia in recent years, reaching 36,042 in 2022, 83,696 in 2023, and 87,875 in 2024. "We are pleased to note the increasing number of Canadians visiting Indonesia. It is estimated that more than 100,000 Canadian tourists will visit Indonesia by the end of 2025," concluded Ambassador Muhsin.
Ambassador Muhsin emphasized that presenting the Letters of Credence was more than just a ceremony; it was a milestone in strengthening relations between Indonesia and Canada. "I am optimistic that our bilateral relationship will grow stronger, fostering cooperation that positively impacts the people of Indonesia and Canada. With the full support of the Indonesian Embassy staff, I am confident that we can achieve this goal," he said.
The presentation of the Letter of Credence took place approximately two and a half months after Ambassador Muhsin arrived in Ottawa at the end of June 2025. For the record, Muhsin Syihab is the 21st Indonesian ambassador to Canada since the two countries established diplomatic relations on October 9, 1952.
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