US-ASEAN Business Council Hosts Business Forum to Celebrate 75th Anniversary of U.S.-Indonesia Relations
(Washington, D.C.) – On August 26, in celebration of 75 years of diplomatic relations between the United States and Indonesia, the US-ASEAN Business Council, together with the Embassy of Indonesia in Washington, D.C.; Bank Indonesia New York Representative Office; and the Indonesia Investment Promotion Center in New York, held a business forum entitled “Elevating Indonesia-U.S. Economic Relations under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.” The forum provided a platform to discuss bilateral economic ties in the post-Jokowi era, particularly in the renewable energy, digital economy, critical minerals, and manufacturing sectors.
In her keynote address, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia Retno Marsudi emphasized the significance of the United States as one of Indonesia’s leading economic partners, highlighted by her visit to Washington D.C. to bolster economic cooperation and people-to-people ties. Minister Marsudi called on the United States for more investment and fewer trade barriers, specifically in the areas of supply chains, green growth, and inclusivity. On a similar note, President and CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council Ambassador Ted Osius (ret.) remarked that “the United States cherishes its enduring relationship with Indonesia, and the U.S. business community is encouraged by the ever-strengthening economic and trade ties between our countries. The Council looks forward to continuing its collaboration with the Government of Indonesia to create new business opportunities and pursue sustainable and inclusive development.”
The forum included a high-level panel discussion entitled “Advancing the Indonesia-U.S. Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Economic Growth,” which explored Indonesia’s investment priorities, followed by a business panel entitled “Opportunities to Invest in Renewable Energy, Critical Minerals, and Manufacturing.” Key panelists included the Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia; Deputy Ministers from the Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Investment; and high-level officials from Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Law and Human Rights, and PT Pertamina, among others.
The business forum was generously supported by US-ASEAN Business Council members Apple, the Walt Disney Company, Freeport-McMoRan, and Visa.