Indonesia and Singapore Strengthen Cooperation to Face Global Uncertainty

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto met with Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong for the 16th Singapore-Indonesia Six Bilateral Economic Working Groups Ministerial Meeting (6WG MM) at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs office in Jakarta on Tuesday (9/6/2026). The 6WG is the main economic platform between Singapore and Indonesia to strengthen economic cooperation in six areas: Batam, Bintan, and Karimun (BBK) and other Special Economic Zones; Investment; Manpower; Transportation; Agribusiness; and Tourism. Airlangga noted increased cooperation between Indonesia and Singapore, reflected in investment figures. ‘Several things I noted, cooperation in BBK in 2025 saw investments amounting to 5.7 billion USD. This is an increase compared to the previous year,’ he said at a press conference in Jakarta. He added that there are developments in the Batam Free Trade Zone, with the number of islands increasing by 8 to 22. There is also expansion at Nongsa Digital Park, and the Kendal Industrial Park investment will be developed with an additional 1,000 hectares under Special Economic Zone status. In the Green Energy sector, cooperation includes the realisation of a major 200 MW Project in Central Sulawesi, along with green energy development in Batam, Bintan, and Karimun. Airlangga also highlighted manpower cooperation, deepening the Tech-X Programme, namely the Youth Mobility Programme. He explained that Indonesia and Singapore exchange young people to learn digital talent, implementing the digital economy framework planned for completion during the ASEAN Summit this year. In the transportation sector, Singaporean carriers now fly to 17 cities in Indonesia, including new Scoot routes to Belitung and Pontianak, while cooperation between Garuda and Singapore Airlines was appreciated. For agribusiness, a 2026-2030 roadmap is being prepared, identifying 13 potential collaborations including agriculture. Airlangga noted 13 young Indonesians are studying in Singapore focusing on agriculture using the Internet of Things and drones, expected to create a new generation of innovators. Tourism figures show 2.44 million Indonesians visit Singapore annually, while 1.5 million Singaporeans visit Indonesia. The ministers also discussed global dynamics full of uncertainty, hoping cooperation will strengthen the economic fundamentals of both nations ahead of the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations next year. Singapore remains a trusted and long-standing economic partner for Indonesia, with both nations agreeing to strengthen supply chain resilience as a commitment to maintaining smooth trade amid global uncertainty. Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong stated that the two nations are working closely to build resilient supply chains and create new opportunities in the digital economy, green economy, industrial infrastructure, and agricultural technology, noting the rapid development in the Batam-Bintan-Karimun area.