Shanghai (ANTARA) - Indonesian Ambassador to China and Mongolia Djauhari Oratmangun called on Indonesian business actors to foster lasting ties with Chinese counterparts grounded in mutual trust.

“Do not view Chinese partners as mere buyers; treat them as partners in technology and production and a gateway into global supply chains,” he remarked at the Indonesia-China Business Forum in Shanghai on Tuesday (May 19).

He made the remarks before Indonesian Deputy Trade Minister Dyah Roro Eesti and Consul General in Shanghai Berlianto Situngkir, who were joined by around 30 Indonesian and Chinese entrepreneurs running processed food businesses.

“Growing beyond the world’s center of factories, China has become a laboratory of innovation. Business forums like this are expected to significantly boost future transactions,” Oratmangun said.

The ambassador pointed out that the Shanghai forum brought together Indonesian businesses offering fruits, coffees, spices, and snacks for promotion.

“I can guarantee that this business forum will prove to be the appropriate platform for dialogue,” he added.

On broader relations, Oratmangun highlighted that bilateral trade between Indonesia and China reached US$167.5 billion in 2025, marking growth of more than 113 percent over the past five years and cementing China’s status as Indonesia’s largest trading partner since 2011.

In contrast, he continued, Indonesia’s trade with the European Union stood at around US$30 billion, while transactions with the United States amounted to about US$50 billion.

“I believe business forums like this will pave the way for larger-scale transactions, enabling Indonesian products to go global. To Chinese buyers, importers, and business partners, I assure you that you have come to the right place,” the ambassador affirmed.

He added that Indonesia is rolling out a policy aimed at downstreaming natural resources to generate processed products with higher value and quality, noting such products have begun entering China.

“We encourage transactions not only through the purchase of finished products but also by exploring joint venture opportunities with Indonesia, given the increasingly attractive downstreaming incentives offered by our government,” he told Chinese business actors.

A day earlier, Indonesia recorded US$3.5 million in potential transactions for micro, small, and medium enterprise products—including tempeh, fruit crackers, fish floss, palm sugar, and coffee—at the Salon International de l'Alimentation 2026 in Shanghai.

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