Strengthening Indonesia–Bangladesh Trade and Investment Relations
On June 2, 2025, Indonesian Vice Foreign Minister Arrmanatha Christiawan Nasir visited Dhaka to discuss enhancing bilateral relations with Bangladesh. During his meeting with Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus, Nasir emphasized Indonesia's eagerness to deepen engagement in trade, investment, and cultural exchanges
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6/3/20251 min read
Key Areas of Cooperation
1. Trade and Investment
Current Trade Volume: In 2024, trade between Indonesia and Bangladesh exceeded USD 3 billion, with Indonesia ranking as Bangladesh's fourth-largest import
Investment Opportunities: Indonesian businesses are interested in investing in Bangladesh's economic zones, particularly in the manufacturing and energy
Future Prospects: Both nations aim to explore mutually beneficial sectors for future investments, including power generation, energy storage, and energy infrastructure development.
2. Cultural and Educational Exchanges
Scholarships: Indonesia offers scholarships for Bangladeshi students and plans to invite Bangladeshi foreign ministry officials to attend training at its diplomatic
People-to-People Ties: Prof. Yunus proposed visa-free travel for Bangladeshis to Indonesian tourist destinations like Bali to foster greater interaction between the two nations'
3. Regional Cooperation
ASEAN Engagement: Indonesia supports Bangladesh's efforts to become a sectoral dialogue partner of ASEAN, which could pave the way for Bangladesh's eventual full membership in the regional bloc.
Rohingya Crisis: Prof. Yunus sought Jakarta's support in resolving the Rohingya crisis and expressed hope that Indonesia would take an active role in the upcoming UN conference on the issue in New York this
Economic Potential
Both countries recognize the untapped economic potential in their bilateral relations. Indonesia's support for Bangladesh's ASEAN aspirations and the growing interest from Indonesian businesses in investing in Bangladesh's economic zones and sectors like energy and manufacturing indicate a promising future for their economic
Conclusion
The discussions between Indonesia and Bangladesh reflect a shared commitment to strengthening their bilateral ties. By focusing on trade, investment, cultural exchanges, and regional cooperation, both nations aim to build a robust and mutually beneficial partnership.
