Indonesia and Russia are accelerating industrial cooperation, moving toward more strategic and substantive partnerships, Indonesia’s Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said during a bilateral meeting and the Indonesia-Russia Business Matching event in Moscow in early December 2025.
The two countries are finalizing two key memorandums of understanding (MoUs): one on cooperation in shipbuilding and another on scientific research on the safe use of chrysotile asbestos. The asbestos research MoU was signed on December 8, 2025, by Agus and Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov. Agus said the shipbuilding MoU is expected to be finalized soon, providing a framework for collaboration among large industries and SMEs.
Bilateral relations have strengthened following meetings between Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Russian President Vladimir Putin, opening avenues for broader strategic cooperation. Agus highlighted that economic relations have grown significantly, with bilateral non-oil and gas trade reaching US$3.9 billion in 2024 up 18.7% since 2020 and rising to US$4.04 billion by October 2025. Russian investment in Indonesia also showed steady growth, totaling US$262.7 million in 2024 and US$147.2 million by September 2025.
“These figures demonstrate the confidence of Russian industry players in Indonesia’s economic stability and industrial potential,” Agus said, noting that ongoing dialogue to resolve technical and logistical challenges is crucial for smooth trade relations.
The 6th Working Group on Trade, Investment, and Industry, held in March 2025 as part of the Indonesia-Russia Joint Commission, produced technical agreements on industrial development, halal supply chains, trade, logistics, certification, agriculture, and financial cooperation. Agus also stressed Indonesia’s support for the Indonesia-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement (IEAEU FTA), which is expected to expand market access and reduce trade barriers.
In multilateral cooperation, Indonesia is engaging with the BRICS Center for Industrial Competences (BCIC) to advance industrial digitalization, new mobility, unmanned transport, SME empowerment, artificial intelligence, and bioindustry development. Agus described the BCIC as a strategic platform for technology transfer and modernization toward a smart, green, and inclusive industry.
The Indonesia-Russia Business Matching in Moscow included 19 participants from nine Indonesian companies and 51 Russian industry representatives. The event produced two MoUs: one between Indonesia’s Industrial Estates Association (HKI) and Russian institutions to facilitate investment, roadshows, and trade missions; the other with Russia’s Association of Industrial Parks (AIP) to enhance industrial park competitiveness through information exchange and coordinated visits.
Agus said the initiatives show Indonesia-Russia cooperation is producing tangible results at both policy and business levels. He also highlighted Indonesia’s upcoming role as Partner Country at INNOPROM 2026, Russia’s largest industrial exhibition, calling it a strategic opportunity to showcase the nation’s manufacturing strength and foster new collaborations.
December 13, 2025, CNBC Indonesia(https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20251211172554-4-693452/fantastis-nilai-ekspor-perikanan-ri-sentuh-us-507-miliar-naik-51)