Jakarta – The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin Indonesia), in collaboration with the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, held the Indonesia-Belarus Business Forum and Business Matching at Aryaduta Menteng Hotel in Central Jakarta on Tuesday (June 30, 2026). The forum was organized ahead of the official state visit of the President of the Republic of Belarus, H.E. Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko, to Indonesia on July 1, 2026.

Kadin Indonesia Coordinating Vice Chairman for Foreign Affairs James T. Riady said the world is currently facing major challenges, including shifting global supply chains, growing market uncertainty, and geopolitical dynamics that are increasingly reshaping the global economic landscape.

According to James, these developments underscore the need for countries to establish long-term economic partnerships rather than focusing solely on expanding trade.

"Today's forum is not merely about increasing trade, but about building a long-term partnership between Indonesia and Belarus," James said.

James noted that Belarus possesses strong capabilities in engineering, industrial manufacturing, agricultural technology, fertilizers, heavy equipment, science, and technical education. Indonesia, meanwhile, offers a population of approximately 285 million people, abundant natural resources, a demographic dividend, and a dynamic private sector.

"Our strengths are highly complementary. Belarus brings technology, engineering expertise, and manufacturing experience, while Indonesia offers market scale, talent, entrepreneurship, abundant resources, and one of the world's largest domestic markets," he said.

James encouraged Belarusian companies to view Indonesia not only as an export destination but also as a long-term investment base by establishing manufacturing facilities, transferring technology, expanding industrial production, and partnering with Indonesian companies.

He said this vision aligns with President Prabowo Subianto's agenda to strengthen Indonesia's manufacturing base, enhance industrial capacity, improve food security and agricultural productivity, and advance technological capabilities. He also emphasized Indonesia's growing commitment to fostering a favorable business and investment climate for foreign investors.

James cited the success of Japanese companies, which have gone beyond exporting products to Indonesia by investing locally, localizing production, developing Indonesian talent, and building partnerships with domestic businesses.

"Perhaps Belarus can write its own success story in Indonesia," James remarked.

He further highlighted that as the center of global economic growth shifts toward the Asia-Pacific region, Indonesia is strategically positioned as a gateway to the ASEAN market of more than 680 million people. At the same time, he expressed hope that more Indonesian companies would pursue joint ventures and investments in Belarus to access the broader Eurasian market.

"Governments can create frameworks for cooperation and strengthen diplomatic ties, but it is the business community that creates investment, jobs, technology transfer, and prosperity," James said.

Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto revealed that bilateral trade between Indonesia and Belarus, currently valued at approximately US$220 million, has continued to grow, particularly following the signing of the Indonesia–Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement (I-EAEU FTA).

He expressed hope that the ratification process would be completed soon, allowing more than 90 percent of Indonesian products to enter EAEU member countries, including Belarus, with zero import tariffs.

"The President has submitted a letter to the House of Representatives to initiate the ratification process. Russia and Belarus have already ratified the agreement, and we hope it can be implemented as soon as possible," Airlangga said.

At the same event, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus H.E. Viktor Karankevich said that bilateral relations between Belarus and Indonesia continue to develop dynamically, supported by the strong relationship between the leaders of both countries. He noted that cooperation has expanded across various sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, education, and industry.

"Today, we have signed several important documents that will provide new momentum for strengthening bilateral economic relations between Belarus and Indonesia," he said.

The forum also witnessed the signing of several strategic cooperation agreements between government-related institutions, business organizations, and universities from both countries, including:

• Cooperation Agreement between the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
• Cooperation Agreement between the Minsk Branch of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Jakarta Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
• Cooperation Agreement between the Gomel Branch of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the East Java Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
• Cooperation Agreement between the Mogilev Branch of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the North Sumatra Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
• Cooperation Agreement between the Grodno Branch of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Bali Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
• Memorandum of Understanding between JSC Belarusian Universal Commodity Exchange and PT Bursa Komoditi dan Derivatif Indonesia.
• Strategic Cooperation Agreement between OJSC BELAZ and PT Belazia Trucks Indonesia for the supply of spare parts valued at US$3 million.
• Memorandum of Understanding between Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics and Andalas University.
• Agreement between Belarusian State University of Foreign Languages and Universitas Wahid Hasyim (UNWAHAS).
• Contract between JSC INTEGRAL and PT Radar Telekomunikasi Indonesia.
• Contract between JSC INTEGRAL and Jakarta Aerospace.

Also attending the forum were Kadin Indonesia Coordinating Vice Chairman for Food Affairs Mulyadi Jayabaya; Coordinating Vice Chairman for Legal Affairs, Human Rights, and Infrastructure M. Azis Syamsuddin; Vice Chairman for Livestock Cecep Muhammad Wahyudin; Vice Chairman for Trade and International Trade Agreements Pahala Mansury; Vice Chairman for MSME Marketing, Promotion, Innovation, and Product Development Rifda Ammarina; and Chairman of Kadin Indonesia's Russia–Belarus Bilateral Committee Didit Ratam.

Also in attendance were Chairman of Kadin North Sumatra Firsal Ferial Mutyara and Chairman of Kadin Bali I Made Ariandi.