Indonesia, Belarus Strengthen Collaboration in Key Sectors

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Bilateral economic relations and trade between Indonesia and Belarus are strengthening. The government aims to increase bilateral trade from around USD 220 million to USD 500 million through agreements with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and expanded collaboration.

“The strengthening of bilateral relations is marked by the signing of 17 memorandums of understanding between business leaders at the Indonesia–Belarus Business Forum and Business Matching,” Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said in Jakarta on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Minister Airlangga noted that Indonesia and Belarus have long cooperated, and this partnership has been reinforced through agreements with EAEU member states, including Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia.

Indonesia’s trade with Belarus currently stands at about USD 220 million and has grown steadily since the cooperation agreement with the EAEU was signed. The government hopes the ratification process will be completed soon so businesses can benefit from the agreement.

“We hope the EAEU will be ratified soon. The president has prepared letters for the House of Representatives of Russia and Belarus, which have ratified this agreement,” he said.

Minister Airlangga is optimistic that trade and investment between the two countries could reach USD 500 million in the near future.

He explained that once the agreement takes effect, more than 90 percent of Indonesian products exported to the EAEU region, including Belarus, will be exempt from import tariffs. Belarusian products entering Indonesia will receive similar treatment, which is expected to boost trade flows.

Beyond trade, Indonesia is offering new cooperation in the heavy equipment industry. Airlangga highlighted Belarus as one of the largest heavy equipment producers in the EAEU region, presenting significant potential for collaboration.

“One area we can collaborate on is the electrification of heavy equipment using storage batteries from Indonesia,” he said.

He added that Belarusian heavy equipment generally has a capacity of up to 200 tons, larger than the capacity commonly used in Indonesia. The government is offering domestically produced batteries for electrification, supporting nickel downstreaming and reducing carbon emissions.

“If we cooperate, we will encourage the use of electricity in mining equipment. That aligns with Indonesia’s nickel downstreaming development and reduces reliance on carbon, diesel, and gasoline,” Minister Airlangga said.

Meanwhile, Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Karankevich said bilateral relations continue to grow, particularly in the economic and business sectors. He noted that the signed cooperation documents will further strengthen ties.

“Relations between our countries have improved, and today’s forum demonstrates the enormous potential for cooperation. We also signed several documents that will strengthen our economic ties,” Viktor said.

Minister Airlangga added that the state visit of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to Indonesia in early July is expected to accelerate the implementation of agreements discussed at the Joint Commission Meeting in Belarus last May, thereby opening up greater investment and trade opportunities for both countries. ***