Indonesia, Russia Agree to Deepen Strategic Industrial Cooperation at BRICS Forum

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Indonesia and Russia have agreed to strengthen cooperation in strategic industries following a bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the BRICS Forum on Partnership on New Industrial Revolution (PartNIR) 2026 in Xiamen, China.

Indonesia’s Minister of Industry, Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, said the 76-year relationship between the two countries continues to grow stronger, supported by expanding collaboration across industrial, technological, and economic sectors.

“The BRICS PartNIR Forum is very important for us. We highly appreciate the Government of Russia’s support for Indonesia’s BRICS membership and are very interested in hearing views on the future direction of industrial cooperation within the BRICS framework,” Agus said.

He noted that Indonesia’s participation in BRICS represents a strategic effort to broaden economic and industrial partnerships with member states, including Russia, while enhancing national economic resilience through global cooperation.

The BRICS PartNIR Forum, held in late May, serves as a platform for member countries to promote collaboration in emerging industries, technological innovation, downstream industrial development, and the creation of more resilient and inclusive global supply chains.

According to Indonesia’s Ministry of Industry, both sides discussed opportunities to expand mutually beneficial cooperation in strategic industrial sectors with significant growth potential during the bilateral talks.

The Indonesian delegation was led by Director General of International Industrial Resilience, Regionalization and Access (KPAII) Tri Supondy, accompanied by Acting Director of International Industrial Access Binoni A. Napitupulu, while the Russian side was represented by Andrei Gorobets, Counsellor of the Russian Trade Mission in China.

Tri Supondy emphasized that stronger international communication and partnerships are essential for expanding market access and fostering industrial collaboration in line with rapid global technological transformation.

“Synergy between Indonesia and Russia is expected to create concrete cooperation opportunities that will add value to the industrial development of both countries,” he said.

Bilateral trade between Indonesia and Russia has continued to show positive momentum. Non-oil and gas trade reached approximately US$1 billion in the first quarter of 2026, marking a 1.13 percent increase year-on-year.

Indonesia’s exports to Russia totaled US$3.3 billion in 2024, reflecting a 13.38 percent increase compared with the previous year. Key export products included rubber, coffee, cocoa and tea, footwear, electronic components, and chemical products.

The two countries also explored broader cooperation opportunities within the BRICS framework, particularly in preparation for China’s upcoming BRICS chairmanship next year. Indonesia expressed interest in expanding industrial cooperation and investment among member states.

During the meeting, Indonesia invited Russian support in encouraging greater participation of Chinese investors and businesses at INNOPROM 2026, where Indonesia will serve as the partner country.

Jakarta also welcomed progress on the Indonesia–Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement (I-EAEU FTA), signed in December 2025 in St. Petersburg, which is expected to improve market access and stimulate trade and investment flows between Indonesia, Russia, and other Eurasian Economic Union member states.

Indonesia reaffirmed its participation as the partner country at the International Industrial Exhibition INNOPROM 2026, scheduled to take place in Yekaterinburg, Russia, from July 6 to 9, as part of efforts to showcase its manufacturing capabilities and attract foreign investment.

Tri expressed optimism that stronger Indonesia-Russia relations fostered through the BRICS PartNIR Forum 2026 would further deepen cooperation in building a modern, competitive, and globally oriented industrial sector in both countries.