Indonesia’s Chief Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto met with US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo on Wednesday to strengthen trade and investment ties. The meeting, held during the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) forum in Singapore, highlighted several key investment opportunities.
Airlangga expressed gratitude for US support in Indonesia’s bid to join the OECD and emphasized the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations. He showcased investment opportunities in Indonesia’s data centers, particularly in a special economic zone in Batam powered by renewable energy.
“Indonesia has a special economic zone exclusively for data centers in Batam, utilizing a renewable energy grid. We hope the United States will support the ongoing development of the data center and fiber optic network in Indonesia,” said Airlangga.
Raimondo welcomed the opportunity, noting the strong interest from American companies in Indonesia’s data center development. She stressed the importance of the Indonesian government’s support in making business operations smoother for foreign investors.
Airlangga also highlighted opportunities in the renewable energy sector, including carbon capture, solar panels, and geothermal energy. He mentioned 19 proposed infrastructure projects focusing on energy and encouraged US investments.
Additionally, Airlangga discussed Indonesia’s potential to attract International Technology Security and Innovation (ITSI) funds and called for US semiconductor manufacturers to establish production plants in Indonesia.
“We hope our collaboration will propel growth in Indonesia’s high-tech industries, create new job opportunities, and bolster Indonesia’s competitiveness on the global stage,” Airlangga said.