Jakarta, Aug. 9 -- Indonesia and Brazil are weighing a preferential trade agreement as a first step toward deeper ties, widening market access between Southeast Asia and Latin America, Indonesia's trade minister said.

Trade Minister Budi Santoso discussed the proposal with Brazil's Minister of Development, Industry, Trade and Services, Marcio Fernando Elias Rosa, in Jaipur, India, on Aug. 7.

"We hope Brazil can help build consensus among Mercosur members and advance negotiations for the Indonesia-Mercosur PTA," Santoso said Sunday.

Indonesia proposed the PTA after negotiations on a broader Indonesia-Mercosur Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement made little progress. Mercosur comprises Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bo...