From 10 to 13 February, EKONID’s Executive Director Dr. Monika Erath and Alexandra Engel, Executive of the Business Development Department, accompanied a delegation from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) during its programme in Indonesia. The delegation, led by Dr. Christoph Ploß, Member of the German Federal Parliament and Federal Government Coordinator for Maritime Economy and Tourism, was hosted by the German Embassy in Jakarta.
The programme included a visit to Batam, one of Indonesia’s most dynamic industrial hubs. Indonesia currently has 25 Special Economic Zones (SEZs) designed to promote economic growth, industrialisation and job creation through targeted incentives for domestic and foreign investors. Five of these SEZs are located in the Riau Islands, four of which are in Batam. The city is widely recognised as a regional manufacturing and supply chain centre, benefiting from its strategic proximity to Singapore and its Free Trade Zone and Free Port status.
During the visit, the delegation gained insights into major industrial developments, including the TenneT 2GW HVDC Project at PT McDermott Indonesia in cooperation with TenneT and GE Vernova. A meeting with BP Batam further provided an overview of the regulatory framework governing investment in the Batam Free Trade Zone, where BP Batam acts as the single-window authority for key investment approvals. The exchanges highlighted Batam’s role in supporting international investment and its relevance for German companies active in maritime, energy and industrial sectors.
On 12 February, EKONID hosted a roundtable discussion at its office in Jakarta with the BMWE delegation, representatives of the German Embassy, and German companies operating in Indonesia’s maritime sector. Moderated by Dr. Monika Erath, the discussion focused on Indonesia’s maritime economy and logistics landscape, underscoring the country’s strategic position in regional and global supply chains. Participants explored opportunities for deeper German–Indonesian cooperation in areas such as maritime infrastructure, logistics services, and energy-related projects.
The visit and accompanying discussions marked an important step in strengthening dialogue between German stakeholders and Indonesian partners, particularly in the context of maritime development, industrial expansion and investment promotion. EKONID remains committed to facilitating exchanges that advance sustainable economic cooperation between Germany and Indonesia.
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