RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia and Singapore are steering their economic partnership toward future-oriented sectors, strengthening collaboration in digital innovation, investment, and renewable energy.

At a press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto emphasized that cooperation in the Batam, Bintan, and Karimun (BBK) region remains a central pillar of bilateral ties.

“Investment in BBK reached USD 5.7 billion in 2025, marking an increase from the previous year,” he noted.

The commitment was reaffirmed during the 16th Six Bilateral Economic Working Groups Ministerial Meeting (6WG MM), co-chaired by Minister Airlangga and Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong.

Airlangga highlighted several initiatives, including expansion of Batam’s free trade zone from eight to 22 islands., continued development of Nongsa Digital Park to boost the digital economy, and a second-phase expansion of Kendal Special Economic Zone (SEZ) by 1,000 hectares to attract investment and create jobs.

In the green sector, both countries are advancing a major solar power project led by Sembcorp and PT Sumber Energi Surya Nusantara (SESNA). Scheduled for completion next year, the plant will deliver 200 megawatts (MW) of capacity and feature an 80 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery storage system, making it one of Indonesia’s largest utility-scale solar projects.

A joint statement underscored BBK’s transformation into a regional digital hub, supported by ongoing data center investments from DayOne, PT Equator Gate System, and DCI Indonesia.

Both governments also agreed to conduct a joint study on technology opportunities in BBK to identify new growth areas.

Gan Kim Yong reaffirmed Singapore’s role as a reliable economic partner amid global uncertainty.

“Singapore’s investment in Indonesia remained strong in 2025, valued at around USD 17.4 billion. We are committed to being a trusted partner for Indonesia,” he said.

Beyond industry and energy, cooperation will extend to agriculture. Starting June 2026, both nations will launch the Young Farmers Development Program to strengthen collaboration in agri-tech and support the next generation of farmers. ***