RI seeks to strengthen ties with Germany in industry to HR development

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said Indonesia seeks to deepen cooperation with Germany across various strategic sectors, including industry, infrastructure, trade, investment, energy, digital transformation, health care, life sciences, and human resource development.

“Looking ahead, we see significant opportunities to deepen cooperation in industry, infrastructure, trade, investment, energy, digital transformation, health care, life sciences, and human resource development,” the minister said at a German Unity Day celebration here on Friday.

Hartarto said relations between Indonesia and Germany had continued to develop over the past decade, underpinned by mutual respect, trust, and shared interests.

This year, Indonesia and Germany are commemorating 74 years of diplomatic relations, ahead of the 75th anniversary of bilateral ties in 2027. The minister said 2026 marks an important milestone in strengthening relations between the two countries, as reflected in a series of high-level visits and meetings.

In June 2026, Indonesia welcomed German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on a state visit. During the visit, the two countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the partnership, particularly in economic cooperation, investment, energy transition, education, and employment.

Hartarto also highlighted his meeting with a German business delegation led by Florian Hahn, Minister of State at the German Federal Foreign Office, as part of efforts to translate strong political relations into concrete economic cooperation.

The discussions covered the Joint Economic and Investment Committee, industrial and green cooperation, investment, and human resource development.

In August 2026, Airlangga received German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Reem Alabali-Radovan, who was accompanied by a delegation comprising government officials, members of the Bundestag, and representatives from the financial and business sectors.

During the meeting, both sides explored ways to leverage Germany’s technological expertise and financing capabilities to support various projects in Indonesia, including renewable energy, electricity infrastructure, the electric vehicle and battery ecosystem, semiconductors, digital infrastructure, and sustainable financing.

Hartarto added that Germany, together with Japan, serves as a co-lead of the International Partners Group (IPG) under Indonesia’s energy transition partnership through the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

The partnership serves as a platform to accelerate investment and financing in support of Indonesia’s clean energy transition, with funding commitments exceeding US$20 billion.

Beyond industry and energy, Indonesia also sees significant potential to expand cooperation in vocational education and workforce skills development.

“We also see strong potential to deepen cooperation in vocational education and skills development, including opportunities for skilled Indonesian workers to contribute to the German economy,” he said.

The minister noted that Germany is one of Indonesia’s important economic and industrial partners. Bilateral trade between the two countries reached approximately US$6.11 billion in 2025, while Germany’s cumulative investment in Indonesia from 2021 through the first quarter of 2026 exceeded US$1 billion.

More than 250 German multinational companies are currently operating in Indonesia. To strengthen economic ties, the two countries can make use of various cooperation mechanisms, including the Indonesia-Germany Joint Economic Committee and the JETP.

He also highlighted plans to sign the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (Indonesia-EU CEPA), which is expected to take place in 2026, followed by the ratification process within the same year.

He expressed hope that implementation of the agreement could begin in early 2027.

The minister said the agreement is expected to provide broader market access, boost trade, and strengthen business engagement and investment between Indonesia and EU member states, including Germany.

“Indonesia remains committed to strengthening its partnership with Germany in line with our national development priorities,” he said.

He also extended his congratulations to the German government and people on the occasion of German Unity Day, expressing hope that the friendship and partnership between the two countries would continue to grow in the years ahead.

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Translator: Katriana
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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