RRI.CO.ID, Astana – The governments of Indonesia and Kazakhstan have reactivated their bilateral cooperation mechanism through the second Joint Commission Meeting held in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Monday. The meeting was co-chaired by Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto and Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister as well as Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin.

Before the session began, the Indonesian delegation consisting of Airlangga and Indonesian Ambassador to Kazakhstan M. Fadjroel Rachman met with Kazakhstan’s Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov.

During the meeting, both sides emphasized the importance of strategic cooperation between Indonesia and Kazakhstan, especially ahead of the implementation of the Indonesia–Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement (Indonesia–EAEU FTA), which was signed on December 21, 2025.

Airlangga stated that Kazakhstan serves as a major gateway to the Eurasian region with significant economic strength. “Indonesia and Kazakhstan can work together to expand influence in the region,” Airlangga said in a statement received in Jakarta on Thursday.

He explained that in 2025 Kazakhstan’s gross domestic product (GDP) reached around USD333.7 billion with economic growth of 6.5 percent and purchasing power of approximately USD15,000 per capita. According to him, Indonesia is also encouraging the establishment of the Indonesia–EAEU Business Council to optimize the use of the free trade agreement by national business actors.

Meanwhile, Fadjroel Rachman said the cooperation between the two countries is a partnership oriented toward concrete action. He noted that bilateral trade between Indonesia and Kazakhstan in 2025 was recorded at USD244.7 million, but still has significant growth potential.

Fadjroel expressed optimism that bilateral trade could increase to USD2 billion through cooperation in logistics, direct flights, visa-free policies, and energy collaboration. Even within the framework of the Indonesia-EAEU FTA involving Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan, trade value is projected to reach USD10 billion.

During the meeting, the two countries also agreed to expand cooperation in several priority sectors, including energy and minerals, digital economy and artificial intelligence (AI), food security, agribusiness, and strengthening logistics connectivity. Indonesia is also pushing for greater access to the Kazakh market for several leading national products such as palm oil, electrical equipment, footwear, rubber products, fisheries, coffee, and tropical fruits.