Indonesia Eyes Belarusian Dairy Imports for Free Nutritious Meal Programme
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto is exploring cooperation opportunities to import dairy products from Belarus to supplement the milk supply for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme. Beyond dairy products, the two countries also discussed strengthening cooperation in the agricultural sector through the use of modern technology, including the development of agricultural machinery, technology transfer, and the construction of local assembly facilities.
Belarus expressed its readiness to share experience and technology in agricultural mechanisation, including the development of harvesting tools and agricultural transport, Airlangga said after meeting with Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Karankevich in Jakarta on Tuesday. In the health sector, both parties see opportunities for developing cooperation through knowledge exchange, capacity building for health workers, and exploring pharmaceutical industry collaboration.
The meeting was part of the Indonesia-Belarus Business Forum and Business Matching event. It also served as a follow-up to the 8th Indonesia-Belarus Joint Commission Session and aimed to prepare the implementation of various strategic bilateral agreements. Airlangga stated that Indonesia seeks to promote cooperation that delivers tangible benefits through joint investment, industrial development, and increased bilateral trade.
Belarusian companies such as MAZ, BelAZ, and Minsk Tractor Works (MTZ) are seen as having potential to expand cooperation in the heavy industrial vehicle, agricultural machinery, and manufacturing sectors. The two countries also discussed accelerating the implementation of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Indonesia and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) to broaden market access. Deputy Minister of Trade Dyah Roro Esti noted that Indonesia’s trade value with the EAEU currently stands at approximately 5.3 billion US dollars, while bilateral trade with Belarus is only around 221 million US dollars, indicating significant room for growth.
In the field of education and human resource development, Airlangga conveyed that strengthening educational cooperation is a priority for the Indonesian President. He encouraged student exchange programmes and university partnerships, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM). Both parties agreed to explore a one-year student mobility programme between Indonesia and Belarus, with an initial target of 100 to 200 students per year for education, training, and joint research.