Jakarta - The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin Indonesia), in collaboration with Daya Anagata Nusantara (Danantara Indonesia), the Indonesian Employers' Association (Apindo), Business France, and Mouvement des Entreprises de France (MEDEF) International, successfully hosted the 2025 Indonesia–France Business Forum at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs (Kemenko Perekonomian) in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.

The forum was held in conjunction with the official visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Indonesia from May 27–29, 2025.

Anindya Novyan Bakrie, Chairman of Kadin Indonesia, expressed his pride in the event’s success, which brought together 368 delegates from both Indonesia and France.

“We are truly delighted to have just concluded the Indonesia–France Business Forum in collaboration with MEDEF, France’s equivalent of Kadin, and Business France, their counterpart to our Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), as well as the French government. The level of participation was exceptional,” said Anindya, affectionately known as Anin.

Strategic Sectors and $11 Billion Worth of Agreements

The forum saw the signing of 26 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) across strategic sectors including defense, mining and downstream processing, renewable energy, healthcare, education, telecommunications, and infrastructure. These MoUs were signed at two locations: the State Palace and the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs.

Among the 10 MoUs signed at Kemenko Perekonomian were:

MoU between MEDEF International and Kadin Indonesia on Food Security and the Free Nutritious Meal Program.

MoU between PT APINDO and MEDEF International on strengthening cooperation between Indonesian and French family businesses.

MoU between PT Istana Karang Laut and SEAOWL SAS on the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Refinery Project.

Mutual Agreement between the Governor of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and PT HDF Energy Indonesia on Green Hydrogen Ecosystem Development.

MoU between PT SMART Tbk. and Pacemar.

MoU between Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank (CACIB) and Danantara on supporting sustainable economic growth and transformation.

MoU between Pertamina NRE and MGH Energy on low-carbon and renewable fuel development.

MoU between PT Bio Farma (Persero) and Bionet France on developing combined recombinant vaccines.

MoU between PT SMART Tbk. and CIRAD (France) for joint research on palm oil.

MoU between Alstom and MRT Jakarta.

The total estimated value of these agreements is approximately USD 11 billion. Anin described this achievement as a strategic stepping stone toward the signing of the EU–Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

“Imagine how much more we could achieve once CEPA is enacted. Indonesia and France are both key players in their respective regions—Indonesia in ASEAN with 650 million people, and France in the EU with 350 million. These regions are complementary, not competitive,” Anin noted.

Government Support and Long-Term Vision

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto emphasized the importance of these partnerships for strengthening bilateral ties:

“Earlier today, 26 MoUs were signed—16 witnessed by President Macron and President Prabowo Subianto, and 10 just now. The total value is around USD 11 billion,” said Airlangga.

He highlighted that these deals go beyond government cooperation, fostering strong connections between businesses and societies of both nations.

“France and Indonesia share common philosophies in multilateral trade and in responding to geopolitical and geoeconomic issues. We seek to open up more opportunities for two-way trade and investment,” he added.

MEDEF Supports Kadin’s Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Program

As part of the forum, Anin also announced a key MoU between Kadin Indonesia and MEDEF International supporting Kadin’s Gotong Royong Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG). This initiative includes plans to establish 1,000 SPPGs (Nutrition Service Units) across Indonesia—one of Kadin’s four national Quick Win programs.

“What’s interesting is that Kadin signed an MoU with MEDEF on the MBG program. Kadin plans to build nearly 1,000 SPPGs or community kitchens, and MEDEF has expressed its interest to support this effort through various means,” said Anin.

Handojo S. Muljadi, Chairman of Kadin’s MBG Task Force and President Commissioner of Tempo Scan, also reaffirmed the program’s goals during the forum:

“It is a great honor for me to represent Kadin’s MBG Task Force at this significant event. The MBG initiative is one of the four Quick Wins under the leadership of Chairman Anindya Bakrie,” Handojo stated.

He explained that the task force aims to produce guidelines to help Kadin members replicate the initiative across Indonesia:

“The pilot projects will generate guidebooks to assist Kadin members nationwide in building SPPGs in their regions, in line with our target of establishing 1,000 units,” he explained.

Handojo added that Kadin’s efforts will complement the work of Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency (BGN), which is targeting 30,000 SPPGs in the near future.

“The guidebooks will include knowledge gained from the pilots, including SPPG operations and procurement management, HR planning, food safety and regulatory compliance, as well as budgeting and financial administration,” said Handojo.

He concluded by stressing the importance of collaboration with MEDEF International:

“I look forward to working closely with MEDEF’s designated partners to accelerate the rollout of more SPPGs. The more we can build, the better—to support President Prabowo Subianto’s vision of a successful MBG program that will benefit the whole of Indonesia.”