“Last year, trade volume between our two countries reached US$4.3 billion. In the first four months of this year alone, trade has grown by 40 percent,” Putin said during a joint press statement with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the Constantine Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Thursday.
He noted that the increasingly favorable trade balance reflects Indonesia’s growing role as one of Russia’s key trading partners in Southeast Asia.
Putin added that Russia has expanded wheat exports to Indonesia, while Indonesian agricultural products are gaining a stronger presence in the Russian market.
In April, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on infrastructure cooperation, which also opens opportunities for Indonesia to export livestock products to Russia.
This partnership is further supported through a joint commission on economic, trade, and technological cooperation, as well as regular business forums involving companies from both nations.
Looking ahead, Putin expressed optimism over the planned signing of a free trade agreement between Indonesia and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
“I hope this agreement will be signed in the near future,” he stated.
For his part, President Prabowo emphasized the strategic importance of Indonesia–Russia relations, which have spanned more than seven decades and cover a wide range of sectors, including politics, the economy, and socio-cultural exchanges.
“Indonesia and Russia share a long-standing relationship. This year, we mark 75 years of diplomatic relations. The Russian Federation has always been an important partner for Indonesia,” Prabowo said.
He also expressed appreciation to President Putin and the Russian government for supporting Indonesia’s full membership in the BRICS economic bloc, which officially took effect in January.
Prabowo welcomed the growing cooperation between Indonesia and Russia under the framework of the Eurasian Free Trade Area, describing it as a major opportunity to expand trade and strengthen Indonesia’s engagement with the Eurasian region.
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Translator: Primayanti
Editor: Anton Santoso
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