Strengthening Food Security and Industry, Indonesia Explores Heavy Equipment Cooperation with Belarus
The Indonesian government continues to strengthen its position in global economic dynamics by exploring strategic cooperation in the Eurasian region. One concrete step is through the Indonesia–Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement (Indonesia–EAEU FTA) framework.
During the 8th Indonesia–Belarus Joint Commission Meeting, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto conducted a working visit to several leading manufacturing industries in Minsk, Belarus, on Thursday (14/5). This visit aims to map strategic goods needs that can support national industrialisation and food security.
Belarus is known for its strong manufacturing industry base. This sector makes a significant contribution to the country’s economy, supported by a high level of food self-sufficiency. Here is a brief profile of Belarus’s industrial strengths based on 2024 data:
Accompanied by Belarusian Deputy Minister of Industry Leonid Ryzkovsky, Minister Airlangga visited three major companies that form the backbone of Belarus’s heavy equipment and automotive industry:
In addition to heavy equipment, discussions also touched on sustainable innovation aspects. The two countries discussed studies on the use of nickel batteries to support the modernisation of agricultural and mining equipment to make it more efficient and environmentally friendly. Furthermore, there is exploration of developing cassava into ethanol as a renewable energy source.
“We see that Belarusian companies are experienced in producing various types of heavy equipment products that can strengthen industrialisation and modern agricultural mechanisation in Indonesia,” said Airlangga in his official statement on Friday (15/5).
Minister Airlangga emphasised the importance of more intensive communication between industry players from both countries. So far, the Belarusian government has actively studied the Indonesian market, but it is still constrained by specific information on technical needs in the field.
To address this, the governments agreed to conduct joint needs mapping through regular consultation forums. This step is expected to ensure that the technological solutions offered by Belarus are truly relevant to Indonesia’s geographical conditions and industrial needs.