Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister to Lead Key Economic Talks in Jakarta

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, Gan Kim Yong, is set to make his first official visit to Indonesia on June 9, 2026, where he will co-chair a high-level economic forum with Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto.

The meeting marks the 16th session of the Singapore-Indonesia Six Bilateral Economic Working Groups (6WG MM), a strategic platform designed to review and strengthen cooperation across key sectors.

According to Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry, the forum will focus on six priority areas: Batam, Bintan, and Karimun (BBK) and other special economic zones, investment, labor, transportation, agribusiness, and tourism, Antara reported.

These working groups have become central to advancing bilateral economic ties, which continue to expand in both scale and scope.

Singapore remains Indonesia’s largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI) since 2014, while Indonesia ranks as Singapore’s sixth-largest trading partner globally.

Beyond traditional sectors, collaboration has broadened into emerging fields such as the digital economy, green growth, industrial infrastructure, and agricultural technology.

Officials note that these efforts are reinforced by regular high-level exchanges, laying the groundwork for the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations in 2027.

Gan will be accompanied by Senior Minister of State for Defence and for Sustainability and the Environment, Zaqy Mohamad, along with other senior officials.

Their presence underscores Singapore’s commitment to deepening ties with Indonesia at a time when both countries are seeking to align economic cooperation with future-oriented priorities.

The upcoming meeting is expected to reaffirm the resilience of Singapore-Indonesia relations and highlight shared ambitions to leverage new opportunities in regional and global markets. ***