Indonesia-Romania Trade Hits Record High in 2026

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Economic cooperation between Indonesia and Romania has reached unprecedented heights, with bilateral trade setting a new historical record in the first seven months of 2026 and paving the way for a deeper strategic partnership within the broader ASEAN-European Union framework.

The dramatic surge in trade figures was highlighted during a diplomatic reception commemorating the 81st anniversary of Indonesian Independence, hosted by the Indonesian Embassy in Bucharest on Thursday night, September 17, 2026. Both nations emphasized that their evolving economic relationship relies on complementary strengths rather than direct market competition.

Indonesian Ambassador to Romania and the Republic of Moldova Meidyatama Suryodiningrat reaffirmed that the two countries are actively laying the groundwork for a more dynamic and mutually beneficial economic alliance.

"Indonesia and Romania have shared strong bilateral ties since 1950. Today, both nations are building a foundation for economic cooperation that complements each other, rather than competing," Meidyatama said in an official statement released by the embassy in Bucharest, as quoted by Antara.

He noted that in 2022, Indonesia ranked as Romania’s fifth-largest trading partner in Southeast Asia. The continuous upward trajectory in bilateral commerce positions Indonesia to become one of Romania's primary trade partners across the ASEAN region.

During his address, the ambassador also stressed the strategic importance of Bucharest’s support in expediting the ratification process of the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA).

Once ratified, the landmark trade agreement is expected to significantly expand market access and unlock vast trade and investment channels between Indonesia and EU member states, including Romania.

Echoing these sentiment, Romania’s Secretary of State for Strategic and Global Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ana Cristina Tinca, affirmed that trade remains a vital sector with immense growth potential for both nations, especially when leveraged within the broader framework of EU-ASEAN relations.

According to government figures, trade between Indonesia and Romania doubled from USD 158.5 million in 2022 to USD 317.7 million in 2025, maintaining a steady surplus in Indonesia's favor.

The momentum accelerated dramatically between January and July 2026, with total trade volume reaching USD 571.6 million, a staggering 240 percent jump compared to USD 168 million recorded during the same period in 2025.

Indonesian exports to Romania alone accounted for USD 541.1 million during those seven months, surpassing the total trade value recorded for the entire previous year. ***