Blab Business
Indonesia and UAE Strengthen Economic Ties with New Investment Commitments
On June 10, 2026, Jakarta became the stage for a high‑level exchange between Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, and the UAE Ambassador to Indonesia, Abdulla Salem Al Dhaheri. The meeting centered on deepening trade and investment under the Indonesia‑UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (I‑UAE CEPA) and on fresh commitments from UAE‑based firms.
Airlangga opened the session by welcoming the UAE’s pledge to broaden economic cooperation. He highlighted the need for investment that would support downstreaming, food security and the national supply chain, arguing that a fully implemented CEPA could lift trade and investment flows further. The Indonesian government also reaffirmed its backing for UAE‑linked companies in the country, citing Louis Dreyfus Company’s 25‑year presence as a notable example.
In turn, the UAE ambassador expressed gratitude for the steadily growing bilateral relationship and underscored the UAE’s view of Indonesia as a key Southeast Asian partner. He stated that the UAE is ready to expand collaboration across a range of economic sectors.
During the talks, Abu Dhabi Export (ADEX) announced a commitment to invest in projects that would strengthen Indonesia’s food security. The move signals the UAE’s confidence in Indonesia’s food and agribusiness sectors and reinforces the long‑term partnership between the two nations.
Abu Dhabi Ports (ADP) also voiced readiness to support airport development in Bali, proposing a feasibility study. This signals a willingness to invest in Indonesia’s infrastructure, complementing the food‑security focus.
Both sides agreed to maintain close communication to ensure that investment commitments are implemented effectively. They also pledged to strengthen investment synergies, provide business certainty for strategic investors and accelerate priority projects that support sustainable economic growth.
The meeting comes amid a broader context of expanding trade between the two nations. A recent report indicated that UAE‑Indonesia trade doubled to $1.5 billion in early 2026, underscoring the growing economic linkages.
The I‑UAE CEPA, signed in 2022, covers a range of sectors—including agriculture, manufacturing and services. Its implementation is expected to reduce tariff barriers and create a more predictable investment environment.
Louis Dreyfus Company, a global commodity trader, has expanded its downstream operations in Indonesia, adding new glycerin refining and edible‑oil packaging facilities. The company’s continued presence aligns with Indonesia’s strategy to strengthen its supply chain and downstream capabilities.
The commitments announced in Jakarta signal a coordinated effort to deepen economic cooperation. While the specifics of the food‑security and infrastructure projects remain to be detailed, the statements indicate a clear intent to translate policy agreements into concrete investment actions.
As Indonesia and the UAE move forward, the focus will likely remain on sectors that offer mutual benefits—agriculture, infrastructure and supply‑chain resilience—while leveraging the CEPA framework to streamline trade and investment.
The outcomes of this meeting will be monitored by Indonesian and UAE officials, as well as by industry stakeholders who anticipate the practical rollout of the announced projects. The next steps will involve detailed project proposals, feasibility studies and the establishment of joint working groups to oversee implementation.
In summary, the June 2026 meeting in Jakarta reaffirmed Indonesia’s openness to UAE investment, highlighted new commitments in food security and infrastructure, and underscored the strategic importance of the I‑UAE CEPA in fostering deeper economic ties between the two countries.
Airlangga opened the session by welcoming the UAE’s pledge to broaden economic cooperation. He highlighted the need for investment that would support downstreaming, food security and the national supply chain, arguing that a fully implemented CEPA could lift trade and investment flows further. The Indonesian government also reaffirmed its backing for UAE‑linked companies in the country, citing Louis Dreyfus Company’s 25‑year presence as a notable example.
In turn, the UAE ambassador expressed gratitude for the steadily growing bilateral relationship and underscored the UAE’s view of Indonesia as a key Southeast Asian partner. He stated that the UAE is ready to expand collaboration across a range of economic sectors.
During the talks, Abu Dhabi Export (ADEX) announced a commitment to invest in projects that would strengthen Indonesia’s food security. The move signals the UAE’s confidence in Indonesia’s food and agribusiness sectors and reinforces the long‑term partnership between the two nations.
Abu Dhabi Ports (ADP) also voiced readiness to support airport development in Bali, proposing a feasibility study. This signals a willingness to invest in Indonesia’s infrastructure, complementing the food‑security focus.
Both sides agreed to maintain close communication to ensure that investment commitments are implemented effectively. They also pledged to strengthen investment synergies, provide business certainty for strategic investors and accelerate priority projects that support sustainable economic growth.
The meeting comes amid a broader context of expanding trade between the two nations. A recent report indicated that UAE‑Indonesia trade doubled to $1.5 billion in early 2026, underscoring the growing economic linkages.
The I‑UAE CEPA, signed in 2022, covers a range of sectors—including agriculture, manufacturing and services. Its implementation is expected to reduce tariff barriers and create a more predictable investment environment.
Louis Dreyfus Company, a global commodity trader, has expanded its downstream operations in Indonesia, adding new glycerin refining and edible‑oil packaging facilities. The company’s continued presence aligns with Indonesia’s strategy to strengthen its supply chain and downstream capabilities.
The commitments announced in Jakarta signal a coordinated effort to deepen economic cooperation. While the specifics of the food‑security and infrastructure projects remain to be detailed, the statements indicate a clear intent to translate policy agreements into concrete investment actions.
As Indonesia and the UAE move forward, the focus will likely remain on sectors that offer mutual benefits—agriculture, infrastructure and supply‑chain resilience—while leveraging the CEPA framework to streamline trade and investment.
The outcomes of this meeting will be monitored by Indonesian and UAE officials, as well as by industry stakeholders who anticipate the practical rollout of the announced projects. The next steps will involve detailed project proposals, feasibility studies and the establishment of joint working groups to oversee implementation.
In summary, the June 2026 meeting in Jakarta reaffirmed Indonesia’s openness to UAE investment, highlighted new commitments in food security and infrastructure, and underscored the strategic importance of the I‑UAE CEPA in fostering deeper economic ties between the two countries.
