INA-LAC 2026: Indonesia inks $328M deals with Latin America

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs facilitated the participation of 26 national companies at the INA-LAC Business Mission 2026 in Santiago, Chile, securing US$328.98 million in confirmed agreements and US$344.08 million in potential transactions.

According to an official statement released by the ministry on Monday, the figures represent increases of 10.8 percent and 21.2 percent, respectively, compared to last year's mission in São Paulo, Brazil, which recorded US$297 million in finalized deals and US$284 million in potential transactions.

The event, aimed at strengthening Indonesia's trade and investment ties with the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region, was held in collaboration with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), the Sociedad de Fomento Fabril (SOFOFA), and several strategic partners.

In his opening remarks, Indonesian Vice Foreign Minister Arif Havas Oegroseno said the theme of INA-LAC 2026, "Bridging Continents, Unlocking Opportunities," is highly relevant amid evolving geopolitical dynamics and their impact on global energy and food security.

He noted that the business forum underscores the importance of choosing connectivity over fragmentation by strengthening trade and investment ties, expanding cross-sectoral cooperation, and establishing a diversified and resilient economic partnership between Indonesia and Latin America.

Echoing Oegroseno's sentiments, Director General of Bilateral Economic Affairs at Chile's Undersecretariat of International Economic Relations (SUBREI) Felipe Lopeandia Wielandt highlighted the vital role of trade diplomacy and the strong prospects for economic integration between Chile and Southeast Asia.

Meanwhile, KADIN Chairman Anindya Bakrie proposed expanding bilateral cooperation in the energy and mining sectors.

He emphasized that the chamber is committed to identifying potential industrial partners in Indonesia and facilitating direct negotiations with LAC counterparts.

Chile and several other Latin American nations are major global suppliers of copper and lithium.

This aligns with Indonesia's current push to accelerate the development of downstream mineral processing and build a robust electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem.

Discussions at the forum centered on concrete investment opportunities, technological and research cooperation, and talent mobility to support downstream processing strategies across the INA-LAC market, which comprises 33 countries with a combined population of approximately 670 million.

The event also brought together business leaders in the logistics and shipping sectors to address challenges in the mobility of goods and commodities between Indonesia and Latin America, including critical discussions on decarbonization.

The INA-LAC Business Mission is a flagship program initiated by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It aims to expand into non-traditional markets by enhancing Indonesia's trade and investment access within the LAC region.

The mission is designed to fortify global supply chains by encouraging export market diversification and fostering cooperation in strategic sectors, particularly energy and critical minerals such as nickel, lithium, and bauxite.

This year’s mission also featured dedicated business pitching sessions, providing a platform for Indonesian companies to showcase their capabilities and cultivate long-term commercial partnerships with prospective regional counterparts.

Translator: Uyu Septiyati Liman
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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