Paris, France – President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto and President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron attended the launch of the France–Indonesia High-Level Business Council (FI-HLBC) in Paris, France, on Thursday (May 28, 2026). Representing companies with a combined market capitalization of at least US$1.3 trillion, the council marks a new milestone in strengthening economic, investment, industrial, and trade cooperation between Indonesia and France.

The high-level business forum was initiated by the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin Indonesia) and MEDEF International, and formed an important part of President Prabowo Subianto’s state visit to France from May 26–29, 2026.

The FI-HLBC was officially launched at the Hôtel de Marigny, within the Palais de l’Élysée complex in Paris, following bilateral and tête-à-tête meetings between President Prabowo and President Macron at the Élysée Palace. The direct participation of both heads of state underscored that Indonesia–France economic relations have entered a more strategic, concrete, and results-oriented phase.

The council brings together approximately 30 leading business and industry executives from Indonesia and France, representing a combined market capitalization of US$1.3 trillion. It will serve as a permanent business-to-business platform to strengthen trade, investment, downstream industrial development, industrial cooperation, and long-term economic partnerships between the two countries.

Chairman of Kadin Indonesia, Anindya Novyan Bakrie, stated that the launch of FI-HLBC represents an important moment in strengthening the Indonesia–France economic corridor within the broader framework of a strategic partnership.

“FI-HLBC is not merely a business dialogue forum; it is an implementation platform. Kadin Indonesia, together with MEDEF International, seeks to ensure that Indonesia–France economic relations become increasingly concrete, measurable, and beneficial for both the business community and national development,” said Anindya Novyan Bakrie.

FI-HLBC is jointly chaired by Anindya Novyan Bakrie, Chairman of Kadin Indonesia and CEO of Bakrie & Brothers, and Antoine de Saint-Affrique, Chairman of the France–Indonesia Business Council of MEDEF International and CEO of Danone. During the forum, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation across a range of priority sectors, including energy, critical minerals, defense, security, technology, manufacturing, food, healthcare, human capital development, and sustainability.

One of the key outcomes of the state visit was the conclusion of four new commercial agreements with a total value of US$3.5 billion. These agreements focus on strengthening energy security, trade, and defense-sector cooperation.

In addition to generating new agreements, FI-HLBC is committed to overseeing the implementation of previously signed memoranda of understanding and investment commitments. During President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Indonesia in May 2025, a total of 27 MoUs worth more than US$11 billion were signed.

As such, the launch of FI-HLBC serves as a bridge between diplomatic commitments and tangible business outcomes. The forum is expected to identify investment barriers, accelerate the resolution of business issues, and create new opportunities for Indonesian and French companies to establish long-term partnerships.

During the Indonesia–France CEO Forum 2026, business leaders discussed four key clusters.

The first cluster focused on mining, energy, and strategic resources, including opportunities for cooperation in critical minerals, clean energy, energy transition initiatives, and industrial supply-chain strengthening.

The second cluster covered defense, security, and technology, bringing together strategic industry players from both countries. This sector has become a key pillar of Indonesia–France relations, aligned with expanding defense cooperation, military training, capacity building, and defense-industry collaboration.

The third cluster addressed human capital development, food security, and healthcare. Cooperation in these sectors is aimed at strengthening the foundations of long-term development through education, innovation, food-industry development, and healthcare services.

The fourth cluster focused on industry and manufacturing, including investment opportunities in downstream processing, electric vehicles, industrial components, and the development of a more competitive modern manufacturing ecosystem.

The forum also featured a “Doing Business in France” session, providing Indonesian companies with insights into investment opportunities and the business climate in France. Kadin Indonesia considers the session important for promoting two-way investment flows—not only French investment into Indonesia, but also the expansion of Indonesian companies into France and the broader European market.

FI-HLBC aims to triple bilateral trade between Indonesia and France by 2035. This target is considered realistic given the economic potential of both countries, Indonesia’s strategic position in Southeast Asia, and France’s role as one of Europe’s leading economic powers and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

The launch of FI-HLBC took place as part of President Prabowo Subianto’s state visit to Paris. The President arrived in Paris on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at approximately 10:00 a.m. local time. During his four-day visit, President Prabowo participated in a series of key engagements, including a state welcoming ceremony at Les Invalides, bilateral meetings and a state dinner with President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace, the launch of FI-HLBC, and Eid al-Adha prayers with the Indonesian diaspora and community in Paris.

President Prabowo departed Paris on Friday afternoon, May 29, 2026, from Orly Airport aboard the presidential aircraft and arrived back in Indonesia at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in Jakarta on Saturday morning, May 30, 2026.

During the visit, President Prabowo received a full state welcome ceremony at Les Invalides hosted by French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu. Following the ceremony, he proceeded to the Élysée Palace accompanied by an honor escort of 146 mounted guards and 27 motorcycle officers before being officially received by President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron.

The meeting between the two leaders resulted in the elevation of bilateral relations toward a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Both countries agreed to deepen cooperation in defense, trade and investment, energy, critical minerals, energy transition, education, science, technology, innovation, agriculture, healthcare, culture, and global affairs.

Kadin Indonesia views this upgraded partnership as an important foundation for the business community to expand economic cooperation in a more balanced and mutually beneficial manner.

In the economic sphere, Indonesia and France reaffirmed their support for an open, rules-based international trading system. Both countries also encouraged the acceleration of the full implementation of the Indonesia–European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA), which is expected to expand market access, increase investment, and strengthen Indonesia’s integration into global supply chains.

Kadin Indonesia believes that IEU-CEPA will become a key instrument for Indonesian businesses seeking to expand their presence in the European Union market while attracting greater volumes of high-quality European investment into Indonesia, particularly in downstream industries, clean energy, technology, manufacturing, food, healthcare, and education.

Beyond economic matters, President Prabowo and President Macron also discussed global geopolitical issues. Both leaders emphasized the importance of respecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity, resolving international conflicts peacefully, and strengthening multilateralism based on the Charter of the United Nations.

President Prabowo also highlighted the importance of Middle East stability for global energy supplies and supply chains. Indonesia and France jointly support a two-state solution for Palestine and called for the de-escalation of conflicts in various regions, including Palestine, Iran, Ukraine, Lebanon, and the Strait of Hormuz.

Kadin Indonesia considers geopolitical stability a critical prerequisite for business. Global tensions, supply-chain disruptions, energy volatility, and uncertainty in international trade can directly affect investment, production costs, logistics flows, and economic growth.

For this reason, the launch of FI-HLBC is significant not only bilaterally but also in a broader global context. Amid growing economic fragmentation worldwide, Indonesia and France are demonstrating a shared commitment to building cooperation based on trust, certainty, sustainability, and complementarity.

Kadin Indonesia reaffirmed its readiness to serve as a key partner of the government in following up on the outcomes of President Prabowo’s state visit to France. Through FI-HLBC, Kadin will work closely with MEDEF International, businesses, relevant ministries and agencies, and strategic partners from both countries to ensure that every commitment is translated into concrete projects.

“For Kadin Indonesia, the measure of success is not merely the number of agreements signed, but how much investment is actually realized, how many jobs are created, how much technology is transferred, how significantly national industries are strengthened, and how substantially bilateral trade increases,” said Anindya Novyan Bakrie.

The launch of the France–Indonesia High-Level Business Council stands as one of the most significant outcomes of President Prabowo Subianto’s state visit to France. With the direct support of President Prabowo and President Macron, FI-HLBC is expected to become a new engine driving Indonesia–France economic relations toward a stronger, more modern, and globally competitive partnership.