Prabowo Subianto Welcomes Launch of France-Indonesia High-Level Business Council
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Prabowo Subianto welcomed the establishment of the France-Indonesia High-Level Business Council, describing it as a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening economic and investment cooperation between the two countries.
Speaking during a joint press statement with Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Thursday, President Prabowo said Indonesia is committed to expanding bilateral cooperation and increasing investment flows between the two nations.
“We want to enhance this cooperation and increase investment in both countries. I am very pleased and welcome the establishment of the France-Indonesia High-Level Business Council,” Prabowo stated.
The Indonesian president said the newly established council would serve as an important platform to foster closer collaboration between Indonesian and French businesses while opening new and mutually beneficial investment opportunities.
Prabowo also expressed Indonesia’s readiness to welcome greater participation of French companies in the Indonesian economy, emphasizing that France remains a key European partner with a strategic role in Southeast Asia.
He noted that stronger economic ties between Indonesia and France would contribute positively to regional stability and economic growth.
According to Prabowo, bilateral relations between Indonesia and France have entered a new phase through a comprehensive strategic partnership.
During the meeting, the two leaders discussed a range of shared strategic priorities, including defense cooperation, clean energy development, education, scientific research, and progress on the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (I-EU CEPA).
President Prabowo expressed hope that the agreements and initiatives currently under development would further deepen bilateral ties and deliver concrete benefits to both countries.
Government data showed that total trade between Indonesia and France reached US$2.4 billion in 2024, maintaining a positive growth trend over the past five years. However, Indonesia recorded a trade deficit of US$532 million with France during the same period.
France also remains one of Indonesia’s strategic investment partners. According to data from Indonesia’s Investment and Downstreaming Ministry, French investment in Indonesia totaled US$1.69 billion between 2021 and the first quarter of 2026, reflecting an average annual growth rate of 33.7 percent and generating employment for more than 37,000 local workers.
