France commits additional investment in Indonesia worth Rp62.5 trillion

Paris – Economic relations between Indonesia and France have entered a new phase following the launch of the France–Indonesia High Level Business Council, a high-level business forum bringing together industry leaders from both countries. Four new commercial deals worth USD 3.5 billion (around Rp62.5 trillion) were struck during the launch. The business council’s launch took place during President Prabowo Subianto’s state visit to France and was witnessed by French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Thursday, 28 May 2026. The agreements cover strategic sectors including energy security, trade, and defence cooperation, which have long been pillars of bilateral relations. According to Rosan, Indonesia is increasingly viewed as a strategic partner offering economic stability, long-term investment opportunities, and a more competitive business environment in the Asian region. ‘The agreements reflect the high level of confidence French businesses have in Indonesia and the country’s economic growth potential,’ Rosan stated in an official comment. The France–Indonesia High Level Business Council is not merely a discussion forum but a permanent body tasked with overseeing the implementation of investment agreements between the two nations. The Indonesian government believes many previously signed memoranda of understanding and investment commitments require special mechanisms for effective implementation. The forum is expected to quickly identify and resolve investment barriers, regulatory issues, and operational challenges on the ground. ‘This forum is not just a space for dialogue but a driving force for investment, trade, and strategic cooperation that delivers tangible benefits to both countries,’ he said. The high-level business council brings together around 30 leaders of major companies and business groups from both Indonesia and France. Collectively, the participating companies have a combined market capitalisation of approximately USD 1.3 trillion (over Rp23,000 trillion), making the forum one of the most strategic bilateral economic platforms ever established by the two nations. The council is co-chaired by Danone CEO and MEDEF International France–Indonesia Business Council chairman Antoine de Saint-Affrique, alongside Kadin Indonesia chairman Anindya Bakrie. Both parties will facilitate connections between the business community and government to ensure cooperation projects meet their targets. The council’s formation follows President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Indonesia in May 2025. During that visit, the two countries signed 27 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) worth over USD 11 billion (around Rp196 trillion). The Indonesian government is now working to ensure these commitments go beyond signing and are realised through investments, industrial projects, technology transfer, and job creation. Therefore, the France–Indonesia High Level Business Council is expected to act as a bridge accelerating the implementation of previously agreed strategic projects. Beyond investment, the new business forum has an ambitious target to triple bilateral trade between Indonesia and France by 2035. This will be driven by enhanced industrial cooperation, supply chain strengthening, sustainable energy development, and expanded market access for both nations’ products. The Indonesian government views public-private collaboration as key to achieving this target. With support from both governments, Kadin Indonesia and MEDEF International will be the main drivers in strengthening the Indonesia-France economic corridor in the future. The council’s launch and new investment commitments worth tens of trillions of rupiah signal a positive outlook for the national investment climate. Amid global economic uncertainty, new French investments demonstrate Indonesia remains an attractive investment destination in Asia. Beyond strengthening bilateral ties, the cooperation is expected to support industrial downstreaming, energy transition, defence sector strengthening, and sustainable economic value creation for both countries. For Indonesia, closer partnership with France is part of a strategy to expand international economic networks and bolster its position as a major economic power in the Indo-Pacific region.