Kadin Views Indonesia-Japan Forum as Boost to Escape Middle-Income Trap
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) views the Indonesia-Japan Business Forum as a crucial momentum for driving Indonesia out of the middle-income trap through strengthened investment and innovation.
Kadin Indonesia General Chairman Anindya Bakrie stated in Jakarta on Tuesday, quoted from his remarks, that the forum brings together business actors from both countries to bolster strategic cooperation in various priority sectors, such as green and renewable energy, manufacturing, the digital economy, and food and energy resilience.
The forum took place at The Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, Japan, on Monday (30/3), amid the official visit of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to Japan.
Anindya emphasised that the longstanding relationship between Indonesia and Japan needs to be elevated to a more progressive level to address global challenges while promoting national economic growth.
According to him, the business community is also required to be adaptive amid global dynamics, including the impact of geopolitical conflicts that affect economic stability.
“We understand and are sensitive to the fact that right now we are focusing on moving forward boldly towards results rather than war in the midst. But we are confident there is still a way. This is also something that can be discussed between the two countries to develop even better. The main point is how we can survive in this business,” said Anin.
In agreement, Muhammad Lutfi, Chairman of the Japan Bilateral Committee of Kadin Indonesia, emphasised the importance of strengthening investment as the foundation of the partnership between the two countries moving forward.
During the forum, several strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were announced, with the total value of Indonesia-Japan trade reaching around 23.6 billion US dollars. The cooperation covers various sectors, from energy, industry, technology, to finance.
Some of them include trade and investment cooperation between the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) and Kadin Indonesia, the development of the Abadi Gas Field in the Masela Block by INPEX and PT Pertamina (Persero), as well as the development of a semiconductor ecosystem, geothermal energy, and the establishment of an aviation leasing fund.
This forum is part of efforts to deepen the strategic partnership between Indonesia and Japan, including through the utilisation of the revised Indonesia-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (IJEPA) and the momentum of the World Expo Osaka 2025, to create concrete and sustainable investment opportunities.