Strengthening Indonesia’s Strategic Partnership, Mohsein Facilitates Bamsoet's Meeting with the Saudi Chamber of Commerce
In an effort to enhance the strategic partnership between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia in the sectors of mining, food, and pharmaceuticals, Member of the Indonesian House of Representatives and Vice Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Bambang Soesatyo (Bamsoet), welcomed the Chairman of the Saudi-Indonesian Business Council, Ayman Amin Sejiny, in Jakarta
Ayman Amin Sejiny was accompanied by two notable figures: Mohsein Saleh Badegel, Chairman of the Indonesian Job Exchange Association (ABKI), and Faiz Martak. The meeting was founded on the mutual strategic interests and economic complementarities between the two nations, as well as a shared vision to strengthen their positions on the global stage.
“Both countries have strategic interests that complement each other. Saudi Arabia is diversifying its economy through Vision 2030, while Indonesia is working toward its Golden Indonesia 2045 target by increasing investment and exports,” said Bamsoet.
In 2023, the bilateral trade volume between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia reached USD 6 billion. Of this amount, Saudi Arabia exported USD 4 billion worth of goods to Indonesia, while importing USD 2 billion from Indonesia.
Bamsoet noted that Saudi Arabia has shown strong interest in Indonesia’s mining sector, given Indonesia’s rich reserves of minerals and natural resources such as nickel, copper, and coal. This opens significant opportunities for Saudi Arabia to secure essential raw materials for its domestic industries. “With Indonesia targeting USD 405 billion in exports by 2029, collaborating with Saudi Arabia will strengthen Indonesia’s resilience and sustainability in the global market,” he added.
In the food sector, Bamsoet highlighted the success of Indofood as a prime example of an Indonesian product penetrating the Saudi Arabian market since 1986 — a testament to both product quality and strong consumer demand for halal-certified goods. In December 2023, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance cooperation on halal product assurance and mutual recognition of halal certification. “Given that the majority of Saudi Arabia's population is Muslim, strengthening cooperation in the halal food industry is highly strategic,” Bamsoet emphasized.
He also pointed out the vast potential in the pharmaceutical sector, especially in the development and supply of generic medicines and health products. As Saudi Arabia continues to expand its public healthcare system, Indonesia is well-positioned to become a key partner in supporting the Kingdom’s medical needs. This meeting marks a concrete step toward deepening economic and business ties between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, paving the way for long-term, mutually beneficial collaboration.