Versailles, France - Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Anindya Novyan Bakrie, attended the Choose France International Business Summit 2025 held at the Chateau de Versailles, France on Monday (19/05/2025).

The annual international business forum brings together around hundreds of CEOs from various countries to strengthen trade and investment cooperation with France.

‘This is the eighth year of this gathering, which invites 150 CEOs from around the world to work with France on trade and investment,’ said Anin.

On the sidelines of the event, Anin also had the opportunity to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron, a number of ministers, and entrepreneurs from various regions, including Europe and outside Europe.

‘We exchanged ideas to find ways to collaborate in business and build the economy to the world,’ said Anin.

Anin revealed that the meeting was also a momentum for business diplomacy ahead of President Macron's visit to Indonesia scheduled for 28-29 May 2025. According to Anin, the meeting strengthened the positive signals of cooperation between the two countries.

‘Earlier I had a brief discussion with him (President Macron). We are certainly very welcoming and will prepare everything for his visit to be successful. President Macron and President Prabowo have a very good relationship. I am sure his visit will be strategic and long-term,’ said Anin.

Anin also mentioned the opportunity to sign the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA) in the near future as an effort to expand market access for Indonesian businesses, including MSMEs.

‘Things like this aim to open up more markets, which in the end hopefully can help businesses in Indonesia, including of course MSMEs,’ she said.

Regarding the current condition of Indonesia-France trade, Anin highlighted Indonesia's main export commodities such as electronic goods. But in the future, Anin emphasised the importance of increasing export value through the critical minerals sector.

‘We want to focus on critical minerals such as nickel, copper, zinc, and bauxite, so that we also do not only send goods with little added value, but high ones,’ Anin explained.

Anin hopes that trade and investment relations between Indonesia, France and the European region can continue to grow, with Indonesia emerging as a strategic partner and leader in the ASEAN region.

‘The most important thing is to introduce Indonesia as a partner in trade and investment. Start with France, but it is also a possibility for Europe,’ Anin said.

‘On the other hand, for France or Europe, Indonesia can be a sister of ASEAN. So these are the things that we will put forward, and hopefully the results will be good and can be a momentum for greater cooperation with France and also with Europe,’ Anin concluded.

For information, the Choose France International Business 2025 Summit is a meeting promoted by President Macron and focuses on the attractiveness of the French economy.