Indonesia Strengthens Economic Negotiators for Global Competition

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Indonesia is strengthening the capacity of its economic negotiators to face global competition. This effort is crucial as the government seeks to boost investment, expand market access, advance downstream industrialization, and facilitate technology transfer.

A total of 32 officials from the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs participated in a 14‑day negotiation training program in China. The program is part of a Government‑to‑Government (G2G) collaboration with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM).

Secretary of the Ministry, Susiwijono Moegiarso, said the quality of government negotiations will determine Indonesia’s ability to translate international cooperation into economic benefits.

“We organized this training so that officials become accustomed to thinking ‘non‑business as usual,’ enabling them to create breakthroughs to accelerate the government’s programs in supporting economic growth,” Susiwijono said in a statement in Jakarta on Friday, September 11, 2026, as quoted on the ministry’s official website.

He said these skills are necessary to prepare negotiators, implement international economic agreements, and safeguard national interests in every deal.

“In China, negotiation is not merely a technique at the negotiating table, but a cultural skill deeply rooted in tradition, history, and fundamental competencies,” he said.

The training, organized by the Academy for International Business Officials (AIBO), covers negotiation strategies, cross‑cultural communication, free trade, international dispute resolution, e‑commerce, and diplomatic simulations.

Deputy for Economic Cooperation and Investment at the ministry, Edi Prio Pambudi, described the program as an institutional investment. “The series of materials is directly relevant to the deputy’s duties in preparing for and conducting negotiations on international economic cooperation,” he said.

In addition to the 32 participants, two high‑ranking officials evaluated the training outcomes and held bilateral meetings with the Chinese government.

Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Wang Lutong said strengthening negotiation capabilities is crucial to reinforcing the bilateral strategic partnership. Cooperation between the two countries covers trade, investment, downstream industrialization, energy transition, and technology.

Indonesia aims to achieve 8 percent economic growth by 2029 and a gross national income per capita of USD 8,000 through the 2025–2029 National Medium‑Term Development Plan (RPJMN). Strengthening negotiators is part of the effort to ensure that international cooperation supports the achievement of these targets. ***