Indonesia-Kuwait trade hits $606 mln, says ambassador

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 11: Indonesian Ambassador to Kuwait Lena Maryana said the relationship between Indonesia and Kuwait continues to grow at the political, economic, investment and cultural levels. In a press statement on the occasion of the 81st Independence Day of Indonesia on Aug 17, Maryana revealed that the two countries are looking forward to the second Joint Ministerial Committee meeting and their first political consultations in November, in addition to finalizing arrangements for the first Indonesian-Kuwaiti Energy Forum in Indonesia. She stated that the volume of trade exchange between the two countries increased from $547.5 million in 2024 to $606 million in 2025, emphasizing that the current trade volume is still below the potential available in the two countries.

She indicated that the Indonesian exports to Kuwait reached $193 million in 2025, while its imports from Kuwait amounted to $412.5 million. She added that Kuwait ranks 66th among the Indonesian export destinations and 42nd among its import sources. She expressed hope that the Indonesian-Kuwaiti trade will continue to grow at a rate of at least 10 percent annually, leading to a more balanced trade relationship. She is also hoping that the negotiations on a free trade agreement between Indonesia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries will be finalized this year. She confirmed that investment cooperation between Kuwait and Indonesia is seeing positive growth, as Kuwaiti investments are concentrated in the oil and gas sector through Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC). She added that the Kuwaiti foreign direct investment in Indonesia increased by 20.26 percent compared to 2024. She said the number of tourists from Kuwait to Indonesia reached 5,166 in 2025, compared to 5,090 in 2024, 4,692 in 2023 and 2,016 in 2022, while the number reached 691 in May 2026.

She affirmed the desire of her country to expand cultural and educational cooperation with Kuwait, while commending the scholarships offered by Kuwait for undergraduate studies and Arabic language programs, hoping that the number of beneficiaries will increase in the coming years. She also praised the role of Kuwait in humanitarian and relief efforts worldwide, citing the contributions of Kuwaiti charities in establishing and operating several schools in the rural areas in Indonesia. She added that Kuwait hosts more than 6,000 Indonesian citizens, most of whom work in the health, oil and gas, hospitality and manufacturing sectors.

By Fares Ghaleb Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff