Gibran Meets Laos Deputy PM, Explores Cooperation in Economy to Security

JAKARTA - Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka received a visit from Laos Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thongsavan Phomvihane at the Vice Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday (5/5/2026).

Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister Anis Matta revealed that the meeting was held to strengthen diplomatic relations between the two countries, which will reach 70 years next year.

“Next year, God willing, our relations with Laos will enter the 70th year. So we will celebrate our bilateral relations with Laos, God willing, next year the 70th,” said Anis after the meeting on Tuesday afternoon.

Anis stated that Gibran and Phomvihane also explored cooperation in the security to economic sectors during the one-hour meeting.

He said that Indonesia-Laos trade relations stood at $83.8 million, which is relatively small compared to other ASEAN countries.

“Therefore, we are thinking of increasing this economic cooperation because in our trade relations, Indonesia has a deficit of $57 million,” said Anis.

“We import potash from Laos for our fertiliser needs here. Therefore, the government intends to invest in Laos through PT Pupuk in the future for cooperation in this industrial sector,” said Anis.

In addition to fertiliser, the two countries will also explore cooperation in the mining sector.

In the security sector, he said Indonesia and Laos will explore strengthening prevention related to international crime networks, particularly scams.

“Because besides Cambodia, Laos also has many Indonesian citizens involved in these cases, so developing this cooperation in intelligence and security cooperation is very important for us to enhance,” said Anis.