Indonesia and Uruguay Strengthen Economic Cooperation and Livestock Sector
The Government of Indonesia and Uruguay have agreed to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation and accelerate inter-regional partnership. The commitment was discussed when Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto received a delegation from Uruguay at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs office in Jakarta on Friday (21/8/2026). The delegation was led by Uruguay’s Deputy Foreign Minister Valeria Csukasi, together with Deputy Minister of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries Matías Carámbula. Also present were Uruguay’s Ambassador to Indonesia Cristina González and representatives from Uruguay’s National Meat Institute (INAC) and National Milk Institute (INALE).
The strategic meeting aimed to discuss improving bilateral relations in various sectors including trade, investment and food security. Strengthening this cooperation is expected to optimise mutually beneficial economic potential while serving as a concrete step to solidify relations between the two parties. On the occasion, Minister Airlangga was accompanied by Deputy for Economic and Investment Cooperation Coordination Edi Prio Pambudi and Acting Deputy for Industry, Manpower and Tourism Coordination as well as Expert Staff for Connectivity and Services Development Dida Gardera.
Economic relations between the two countries have recorded a positive trend, with trade value between Indonesia and Uruguay in 2025 reaching approximately USD 112.5 million, an increase of up to 70.7% compared to the previous year. On the investment side, realised foreign direct investment (FDI) from Uruguay in Indonesia in the first and second quarters of 2026 was recorded at approximately USD 606 thousand. To expand the scope of trade, both countries agreed to accelerate the process towards negotiations on the Indonesia-Mercosur Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IM-CEPA).
In addition to bilateral and inter-regional partnership, Indonesia and Uruguay agreed to strengthen cooperation within regional and multilateral frameworks. This includes Uruguay’s support for Indonesia’s accession process to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Collaboration was also expanded within the OECD given Uruguay’s status as a partner country in the organisation.
In the agriculture and livestock sector, Uruguay expressed interest in conducting capacity building training for Indonesian livestock farmers. This collaborative step is supported by Uruguay’s strong reputation as one of the leading producers and exporters of beef and dairy products in Latin America. Minister Airlangga emphasised that this bilateral meeting reflects the strong commitment of both parties to expand mutually beneficial economic cooperation, particularly amid growing global uncertainty and geopolitical tensions.
“Indonesia and Uruguay have great potential to further strengthen cooperation in trade and investment, as well as concrete collaboration in the livestock sector. We are optimistic that this cooperation will bring real benefits to business actors and communities in both countries,” concluded Minister Airlangga in his official statement on Saturday (22/8/2026).
This meeting is part of the two countries’ ongoing efforts to strengthen economic relations that have been established for 60 years and serves as a foundation for broader cooperation in the future.