Denis Manturov attended the plenary meeting of the Russian-Indonesian Business Forum entitled Russia-Indonesia: Strategy of Partnership
First Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Russian-Indonesian Joint Commission on Trade, Economic and Technological Cooperation Denis Manturov is leading a Russian delegation to Jakarta, Indonesia, on a two-day working visit that takes place against the background of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and Indonesia.
On the first day, Denis Manturov took part in the plenary meeting of the Russian-Indonesian Business Forum, Russia-Indonesia: Strategy of Partnership. The participants discussed key issues of bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, industry, agriculture, energy, transport, tourism, and creative industries. The forum is sponsored by the Roscongress Foundation and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Indonesia.
Despite the difficult geopolitical situation, Russian-Indonesian cooperation has continued to grow in recent years. “The work between our countries has not stopped in all areas. During this period, our trade increased significantly to $4.3 billion as of last year,” Denis Manturov said.
He noted that Russia was working to ensure its technological sovereignty, primarily in hi-tech industries, such as transport engineering, shipbuilding, pharmaceuticals, space exploration, and others. At the same time, Russia is open to cooperation with reliable foreign partners, specifically with Indonesia. This refers to cooperation both in trade and the economy, including energy, and in the humanitarian areas.
“I think that today, we have a favourable opportunity against the background of global uncertainty: this opportunity has materialised and is felt, in particular, at today’s business forum and during discussions. The next step is to build up our trade. The volume of trade between our countries has grown by 30 percent, but this is insufficient – we need more. As President Prabowo has instructed me, it is necessary to finalise the free trade agreement with the EAEU in order to have it facilitate trade that both Indonesia and Russia need,” Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said.
“The talks on a free trade agreement are in progress and I hope that the agreement will be signed before the end of this year. You know about the US initiative to boost the foreign trade tariffs. This may incentivise the signing of the agreement,” Denis Manturov said in a reply to an Indonesian media question following the session.
“The Russia-Indonesia Business Forum involving over 500 entrepreneurs and representatives of government agencies has become a platform for an open and trust-based dialogue between both countries’ governments, business communities and societies,” Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Roscongress Foundation Alexander Stuglev said.
At the conclusion of the plenary session, Denis Manturov invited his Indonesian colleagues to take part in the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, the Eastern Economic Forum, and the Innoprom International Industrial Exhibition.
In the afternoon, Denis Manturov visited the Badminton Association of Indonesia. Badminton is a national sport in Indonesia that pays special attention to its development. Representatives of badminton associations of Russia and Indonesia advised Denis Manturov on their cooperation plans. The best players from the Indonesian national team demonstrated their skills at a badminton show and held several friendly games with members of the Russian delegation.
Denis Manturov also visited a gala concert dedicated to the 75th anniversary of Russian-Indonesian diplomatic relations and involving Russian and Indonesian performers and on-stage performance groups. Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova made welcoming remarks at the concert.
