Indonesian, German Firms Sign MoU to Place 4,000 Skilled Workers in Europe

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is intensifying efforts to diversify its exports by shifting from raw goods to high-value human capital.

On Tuesday, February 25, 2026, Indonesian and German firms signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the professional services sector, which the government views as a key pillar for export diversification.

The agreement between Aurelium Global Talent GmbH and PT Tenriawaru Elite Internasional addresses Germany’s labor shortages while leveraging Indonesia’s demographic advantage. Witnessing the signing virtually, Deputy Minister of Trade Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri emphasized that professional services are now a strategic frontier for Indonesia.

“The signing of this memorandum of understanding is a tangible manifestation of strengthening Indonesia’s service exports. We view professional services as a strategic sector capable of increasing added value, the competitiveness of human resources, and expanding Indonesia’s presence in the global market,” she said, as quoted on the ministry’s official website.

The partnership covers training and placement of Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI) in Germany and other German-speaking countries. The initial phase in 2026 aims to deploy 1,200 skilled workers, with a total requirement of 4,000 professionals.

The cooperation is valued at an estimated EUR 2 million in its initial stage. Aurelium Global Talent GmbH, a German-based firm owned by the Indonesian diaspora, projects that if the full demand for 4,000 workers in hospitality, modern retail, and healthcare is met, the economic benefit could reach EUR 80 million.

“We hope that the signing of this MoU can be a follow-up step for PMI placement efforts in Germany. In recent years, Germany has been in need of labor across various sectors, while Indonesia has a fairly large labor pool. We view this condition as an opportunity to build mutually beneficial cooperation for both countries,” said Sunarlia Boesenberg, CEO of Aurelium Global Talent GmbH.

The MoU follows a services-sector trade mission to Berlin in September 2025, involving the Ministries of Trade, Migrant Worker Protection, and Foreign Affairs.

PT Tenriawaru Elite Internasional stated that with proper certification and language training, Indonesian talent is ready for the European market. “Through this collaboration, we target the placement of up to 4,000 skilled Indonesian workers. For Indonesia, this means job creation, competency improvement, and international opportunities. Meanwhile, for Germany, this helps meet the need for skilled labor and supports industrial sector sustainability,” said Dhiena Yuliawati, President Director of PT Tenriawaru Elite Internasional.

Deputy Minister Roro reiterated that the Ministry of Trade will continue to facilitate such partnerships through the Indonesian Trade Promotion Center (ITPC) and diplomatic channels such as the Consulate General in Frankfurt. “We are committed to continuing to oversee and facilitate the development of similar cooperation as part of Indonesia’s service trade diplomacy, in order to expand market access, improve the quality of the workforce, and strengthen the contribution of the service sector to the national economy,” she said. ***