Indonesia Eyes Kazakhstan as Strategic Gateway to Eurasia

Indonesia Eyes Kazakhstan as Strategic Gateway to Eurasia

Astana. Indonesia is accelerating efforts to expand market access into the Eurasian region by strengthening economic cooperation with Kazakhstan, Coordinating Economic Affairs Minister Airlangga Hartarto said on Monday.

The strategic initiative follows the signing of the Indonesia–Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement at the end of 2025.

“Indonesia views Kazakhstan as a strategic partner in Central Asia and the Eurasian region. With Kazakhstan’s geographic position and regional connectivity, there are significant opportunities to strengthen trade, investment, and industrial partnerships between the two countries,” Airlangga said in a statement.

Airlangga is currently visiting Astana, where he met Kazakhstan Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, who welcomed plans to deepen economic cooperation with Indonesia.

Kazakhstan is the largest economy in Central Asia, with gross domestic product estimated at $333.7 billion and economic growth reaching 6.5% in 2025.

The two countries have identified several priority sectors for cooperation, including energy, manufacturing, agriculture, food processing, textiles, Islamic banking, the digital economy, education, and tourism.

In the energy sector, discussions focused on renewable energy transition initiatives, geothermal development, and the creation of electric vehicle and battery ecosystems.

Indonesia and Kazakhstan also placed special emphasis on digital economic cooperation and improving logistics and transportation connectivity.

The meeting explored opportunities to utilize Kazakhstan’s transit potential, develop international transportation corridors, and strengthen logistics routes and trade terminals as gateways to regional markets in Central Asia and the broader Eurasian region.

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