The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) and the German-Indonesian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (EKONID) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, to enhance bilateral trade and investment ties. The signing was held in conjunction with EKONID’s Centennial Gala at the Kempinski Grand Ballroom in Jakarta.
The MoU was signed by Anindya Bakrie, Chairman of KADIN, and Jan H. Rönnfeld, Executive Director of EKONID. It was witnessed by Peter Adrian, President of the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), and Prijono Sugiarto, Chairman of EKONID’s Supervisory Board.
The agreement builds upon a previous cooperation signed on April 23, 2012, and aims to strengthen the strategic framework for future collaboration. The two organizations reaffirmed their commitment to fostering a conducive, competitive, and sustainable business environment and supporting international trade and investment between Indonesia and Germany.
Under the MoU, KADIN and EKONID will collaborate in three core areas:
- Exchange of Information and Networking: Both parties will share relevant business-related information and promote connections through their networks and digital platforms.
- Policy Dialogue and Advocacy: The agreement supports joint efforts in identifying key trade and investment challenges, with the aim of providing recommendations to improve the regulatory framework.
- Collaborative Programs and Engagement: The two organizations will co-organize projects, events, and initiatives designed to strengthen private sector involvement and bilateral business ties.
In a press conference preceding the signing, Mr. Bakrie noted the steady growth of trade between Indonesia and Germany, which saw over EUR 7.3 billion in value throughout 2024. He highlighted Germany’s position as one of Indonesia’s key strategic partners, with investments totaling over USD 343 million across 3,200 projects in the same period.
“Today’s MoU marks a new chapter in our cooperation. We believe in a future where Indonesia and Germany stand side-by-side to address global challenges, particularly in the areas of energy transition, workforce readiness, and sustainable development,” said Anindya.
He also pointed to ongoing cooperation in vocational education as a key example of partnership. “Astra is a good model for German-standard vocational training in Indonesia, and this is the kind of forward-looking program we need to continue,” he added.
Mr. Rönnfeld emphasized the broader significance of the agreement: “This MoU reflects our shared intention to deepen cooperation between our business communities. As we mark 100 years of EKONID, we are also preparing for the next century of bilateral engagement—built on communication, innovation, and mutual trust.”
Mr. Adrian underlined the economic potential of enhanced cooperation, citing Germany’s position as the EU’s largest economy and Indonesia’s as Southeast Asia’s largest market. “Our partnership is about more than just goods and services—it’s about education, research, and innovation. Germany faces a skilled labor shortage, and Indonesia has a young, ambitious workforce. We should turn mobility into a mutual strength,” he said.
Adrian also voiced strong support for concluding the EU-Indonesia Free Trade Agreement, noting that it could increase EU exports to Indonesia by 44 percent and imports by 18 percent. “This is not just about trade; it’s about sustainable growth and a stronger role in the global economy,” he concluded.