Indonesian Ambassador: Second session of the Joint Commission and first political consultations between the two countries in November

Osama Diab

The Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Kuwait, Lina Mariana, confirmed that Indonesian-Kuwaiti relations are witnessing continuous growth and steady development across political, economic, investment, and cultural levels. She emphasized that both countries continue to work on leveraging available opportunities and expanding cooperation areas to serve mutual interests and enhance prosperity and well-being for the two friendly peoples.

In a press statement marking the 81st anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Indonesia, which falls on August 17, the Ambassador stated that diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Kuwait, established on February 28, 1968, have seen continuous development at bilateral, regional, and international levels. She noted that both countries continue to explore new cooperation opportunities across various sectors.

She added that Indonesia and Kuwait have signed several cooperation agreements, including an agreement to establish a joint committee, while both sides are working to accelerate the implementation of memorandums of understanding signed in various fields, thereby contributing to strengthening the institutional framework of bilateral relations.

The Ambassador revealed that both countries look forward to holding the second session of the Joint Ministerial Committee and the first political consultations between Indonesia and Kuwait next November, considering that holding these meetings represents an important step in pushing bilateral relations to broader horizons and enhancing coordination and consultation between the two countries.

She pointed out that both sides are also continuing to finalize arrangements for holding the first Indonesian-Kuwaiti Energy Forum in Indonesia, emphasizing the importance of this forum in exploring cooperation opportunities in the energy sector and opening new avenues for institutions and companies in both countries.

On the economic front, the Ambassador stated that the volume of trade between Indonesia and Kuwait rose from $547.5 million in 2024 to $606 million in 2025, considering that this growth reflects the continuity of commercial relations between the two countries. However, she noted that the current trade volume remains below the level of the significant potential available to both sides.

She clarified that Indonesia’s exports to Kuwait reached $193 million in 2025, while its imports from Kuwait amounted to $412.5 million. She pointed out that Kuwait ranks 66th among Indonesian export destinations and 42nd among Indonesian import sources.

The Ambassador affirmed that her country looks forward to the continued growth of Indonesian-Kuwaiti trade at a rate of no less than 10% annually, while simultaneously working to achieve a more balanced trade balance between the two countries. She highlighted the importance of completing negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement between Indonesia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries during 2026.

Regarding investment, the Ambassador confirmed that investment cooperation between Kuwait and Indonesia is moving in a positive direction. She noted that Kuwaiti investments in Indonesia are primarily concentrated in the oil and gas sector, particularly through the Kuwait Petroleum Exploration Company (KUPPEC).

She stated that Kuwaiti foreign direct investment in Indonesia increased by 20.26% compared to 2024, considering that this growth reflects promising opportunities to enhance mutual investments between the two countries. She added that Indonesia and Kuwait continue to work on strengthening investment cooperation and exploring new opportunities for investors, alongside efforts to conclude a bilateral investment agreement that would provide a more effective framework to support investments and encourage the private sector in both countries to expand their activities.

On the tourism front, the Ambassador explained that the number of tourists arriving from Kuwait to Indonesia has grown in recent years, reaching 5,166 tourists in 2025, compared to 5,090 in 2024, 4,692 in 2023, and 2,216 in 2022. She noted that the number of Kuwaiti tourists who visited Indonesia reached approximately 691 by May 2026, affirming her country’s aspiration to continue developing tourism between the two countries and encouraging more Kuwaiti citizens to visit Indonesian tourist destinations.

In the cultural and educational fields, the Ambassador expressed Indonesia’s aspiration to expand cooperation with Kuwait, emphasizing the importance of enhancing cultural communication and educational exchange between the two countries, which reflects the depth of bilateral relations.