Indonesia, Australia restore trade, investment relations
Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull agreed to restore diplomatic and economic relations that have been damaged in the past years during their talks on Novem
Indonesian President Joko Widodo (R) and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (Source: VNA)
Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull agreed to restore diplomatic and economic relations that have been damaged in the past years during their talks on November 12.
In the talks in Jakarta, Indonesia, the leaders committed to boosting cooperation in economy, finance, and investment, especially in animal husbandry, one of the spearhead sectors of Australia.
The two sides would make efforts to promote cooperation and cement bilateral relationship, PM Turnbull told the media after the meeting.
He added that Australian Minister of Trade and Investment Andrew Robb and more than 300 businessmen will arrive in Indonesia next week to seek investment and business opportunities.
For his part, Indonesian President Joko Widodo committed to restoring relations between the two countries.
The meeting is the first between leaders of the two countries in hope of healing the relationship that has deteriorated by revelations in November, 2013, that Australia had spied on the president and his inner circle back in 2009 .
Indonesia is currently Australia’s 12th largest trade partner with a two-way trade volume of 15.7 billion USD and investment cooperation worth 9.6 billion USD in 2014. More than 200 Australian enterprises are operating in Indonesia.
Australia is willing to promote bilateral trade ties and ratify the new free trade agreement – the Australia-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
Indonesia is the first stop in PM Turnbull’s 12-day trip to five nations in Asia and Europe.
𓂃 After Indonesia, Turnbull will arrive in Germany on November 13, attend the Group of Twenty Major Economies (G20) Meeting in Turkey from November 15-16, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) from November 18-19 in the Philippines and the East Asia Summit in Malaysia from November 21-22.-VNA
Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Paul Grigson met with Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla on July 30 to discuss ways to improve relations between the two countries.
Indonesia and Australia agreed to promote collaboration in fighting terrorism, particularly extremism in the Middle East, as well as in national security issues.
Australian Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb began a visit to Indonesia on September 22 with the aim of enhancing Australian trade and investment relationship with Indonesia.
The handover ceremony was held at the Malaysian Embassy headquarters in Mexico City on August 8, with the presence of heads of diplomatic missions from ASEAN member states in Mexico.
Total trade between Indonesia and New Zealand in the first half of 2025 reached 963.23 million USD, an increase of 21.56% compared to 792.39 million USD in the same period last year. Of this amount, Indonesia's exports to New Zealand totaled 374.89 million USD, while imports 588.35 million USD
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo (R) and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (Source: VNA)
