The ninth round of IA-CEPA negotiations was hosted by Indonesia in Jakarta from 2 – 6 October 2017. This was the seventh round of negotiations since IA-CEPA's reactivation by Ministers in March 2016.

The round was officially opened by the Minister of Trade of Indonesia, H.E. Mr Enggartiasto Lukita, who urged negotiators to do all they could to help conclude IA-CEPA by the end of 2017.

The Australian delegation was led by DFAT and included representatives of the Departments of: Agriculture and Water Resources, Immigration and Border Protection, and Industry, Innovation and Science.

The Indonesian delegation was led by the Ministry of Trade and included representatives from a number of Ministries and Agencies including: Agriculture, Business Competition (KPPU), Communication and Informatics (KOMINFO), Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs, Environment and Forestry, Finance, Financial Services Authority (OJK), Foreign Affairs, Health, Indonesian National Board for Protection and Placement of Indonesia Overseas Workers (BNP2TKI), Industry, Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), National Planning Development (BAPPENAS), National Standardization Agency (BSN), Public Works and Public Housing, and Tourism.

Dedicated negotiating groups progressed detailed discussions on goods, services, investment, economic cooperation, and institutional and framework provisions. Some negotiating groups agreed to meet intersessionally to progress discussions ahead of the next round. Chief Negotiators from Australia and Indonesia reaffirmed the commitment to conclude negotiations within 2017.

Chief Negotiators and negotiating group leads also briefed the Indonesia-Australia Business Partnership Group (IA-BPG) members on the progress of IA-CEPA. Chief negotiators welcomed and appreciated the inputs of IA-BPG members to improve the quality of the agreement as well as to support broader outreach to stakeholders.

The tenth round of negotiations is scheduled to take place in Indonesia in November 2017.