Indonesia, Bulgaria Explore Industrial Cooperation

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia and Bulgaria share several similarities in the development of their industrial sectors. Despite differences in their economic structures and resource potential, both countries have developing manufacturing sectors spanning a range of strategic industries, including food and beverages, automotive, machinery and equipment, metals, and chemicals.

These industries not only serve domestic market needs but also offer opportunities for further development through trade, investment, technology development, and cooperation among industry players. Against this backdrop, the two countries held a meeting to discuss constructive cooperation aimed at strengthening their respective industrial sectors.

“We see this meeting as a concrete expression of our joint efforts to continue advancing the economy, particularly in the industrial and manufacturing sectors,” Vice Minister of Industry, Faisol Riza, said during a meeting with Bulgaria’s Vice Minister of Economy, Investment and Industry Mihaela Georgieva Karadimova on September 14.

The cooperation is supported by growing economic ties. In 2025, total trade between Indonesia and Bulgaria reached approximately USD230.5 million, with average annual growth of 13.34 percent over the 2021–2025 period. Indonesia’s exports to Bulgaria reached USD147.4 million in 2025, recording average annual growth of 31.13 percent over the same period.

Indonesian products exported to the Bulgarian market include ores and slag, aluminum, rubber, iron and steel, palm oil and its derivatives, and paper.

In terms of investment, Bulgarian investment in Indonesia totaled USD5.59 million between 2021 and 2025. The figure reflects economic ties that still have considerable room for expansion, particularly through investment in the manufacturing sector. Potential areas include the development of production facilities for agro-based industries and machine tools, as well as industrial cluster development.

Meanwhile, Director General of Industrial Resilience, Regional Development and International Industrial Access (KPAII) at the Ministry of Industry Tri Supondy, said industrial cooperation between Indonesia and Bulgaria could be expanded beyond trade to include investment and knowledge exchange.

“Cooperation between Indonesia and Bulgaria could focus on strengthening value-added industries, developing production facilities, and exchanging knowledge and technology. Bulgaria’s experience in developing industrial clusters could also serve as a reference for the development of industrial zones in Indonesia,” he said.

Industrial cluster development is one area that could be explored jointly. The model brings together companies, research institutions, universities, and government agencies within a single ecosystem to support industrial development.

Indonesia is open to learning from Bulgaria’s experience in implementing industrial cluster models in Europe, including the development of Eco-Industrial Parks. At the same time, Indonesia has experience in developing industrial zones that could serve as a basis for knowledge exchange.