Paris, France - The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) officially launched its Global Engagement Office, known as Kadin GEO, in Paris, France, on Monday, July 14, 2025, coinciding with Bastille Day celebrations in the city.

This milestone marks a significant step in strengthening Indonesia's business presence on the global stage, particularly in advancing economic diplomacy and fostering international cooperation.

Chairman of Kadin Indonesia, Anindya Novyan Bakrie, emphasized the importance of enhancing strategic synergies between Indonesia and key partner countries such as France, especially amidst the current geopolitical and geoeconomic shifts.

"We need a navigator within the European Union, and this is where France plays a crucial role in helping us unlock more opportunities—especially following the initial signing of the EU-CEPA yesterday in Brussels," Anindya, also known as Anin, stated.

Kadin GEO will be led by Bernardino M. Vega, Kadin Indonesia’s Vice Chairman for International Relations. The office is expected to serve as a spearhead of economic diplomacy, linking the interests of Indonesian businesses with the global business ecosystem.

Anin further underscored the need for consistency in representing Indonesia across international platforms to ensure the country garners greater recognition and influence on the world stage.

"We aim to present a consistent narrative when bringing Indonesia to bilateral and multilateral forums. This is critical, given our active role in ASEAN, APEC, OECD, BRICS, COP, and the G20," he added.

The launch was welcomed by Danone CEO Antoine de Saint-Affrique, who expressed optimism about the future of Indonesia-France cooperation.

"Today symbolizes the strong friendship between two great nations. At Danone, we’ve long been a part of Indonesia through Aqua and SGM. With more than 12,000 employees and 24 factories, we feel like part of Indonesia’s extended family," said Antoine.

He further noted that long-term partnerships rooted in shared values and visions would drive sustainable growth.

"As France and as Danone, we believe in long-term partnerships between like-minded nations. We look forward to building the future together with Indonesia," he affirmed.

A similar sentiment was echoed by Philippe Gautier, Director General of Mouvement des Entreprises de France International (MEDEF). Representing over 200,000 companies across sectors, MEDEF expressed readiness to support this strategic partnership.

"We are committed to making Indonesia more visible in France. You are a strategic country in Asia, and there is still much work to be done to ensure Indonesia's economic potential is more widely recognized here," Gautier remarked.

He also highlighted the momentum in bilateral relations and the promising prospects within the EU-CEPA framework.

"We hope this cooperation can be realized soon—not only on behalf of France but also of Europe as a whole," he added.

Further reflecting on Indonesia's evolving direction under its new administration, James T. Riady, Kadin Indonesia’s Vice Chairman for Foreign Affairs Coordination, acknowledged a pivotal shift.

"For the first time, we are seeing a President entering office with a comprehensive written plan and a strong team—including Professor Sumitro and Mr. Hashim, both present here. There is a strong push for 8% economic growth and a major transformation in technology, finance, and social sectors," said James.

He also commended French companies like Danone for their longstanding pioneering presence in Indonesia and encouraged further investment.

"We hope that France, given its significant role, will encourage more of its companies to actively participate in Indonesia’s economy. If Indonesia is already Danone’s fourth-largest market, who’s to say it can’t become the third or even second? If we don’t hear a response, we’ll take that as a sign of great potential," he concluded.

The inauguration of Kadin GEO in Paris affirms Indonesia’s commitment to deepening global partnerships. Through this office, Kadin aims to expand its networks in trade, investment, and cross-border economic cooperation, positioning Indonesia as a major player in the global economy.