Jakarta (ANTARA) - Industry Minister Muhammad Sarmuji has highlighted opportunities to develop Indonesia’s shipbuilding and information technology (IT) industries through industrial cooperation with Russia.
He made the remarks during a meeting with Russian Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Alexey Gruzdev in Jakarta on Thursday.
Sarmuji outlined five potential areas for joint industrial development: machinery and engineering, railway equipment and components, telecommunications and digital technology, fertilizers and chemicals, and shipbuilding.
“We hope that cooperation in these sectors will expand the capabilities of the national industry while increasing the competitiveness of Indonesian manufactured products,” he said.
In shipbuilding, the two countries could explore developing modern fishing vessels equipped with onboard fish-processing facilities.
Sarmuji said the proposal required further study of technical specifications, operational requirements, commercial feasibility, and the involvement of Indonesia’s domestic shipbuilding industry.
Cooperation could also be pursued through a partnership between the Indonesian Shipbuilding and Offshore Industries Association (IPERINDO) and Russian shipbuilding company Ak Bars.
In machinery and engineering, Indonesia is open to partnerships with Russian companies to develop industrial components and railway equipment, establish local assembly operations, and expand maintenance and repair services.
The cooperation could also involve exchanging technical expertise and strengthening domestic suppliers’ capabilities to integrate them into production chains, Sarmuji added.
In telecommunications and digital technology, the two countries could explore cooperation in telecommunications equipment, fiber-optic systems, production digitalization, and industrial automation. In the fertilizer and chemical industries, studies on building a urea plant in Vladivostok could provide an opportunity to expand cooperation between the two countries’ chemical sectors.
Sarmuji also said Indonesia was open to partnerships in food processing, pharmaceuticals, furniture, consumer goods, and downstream industries, offering further opportunities for investment and industrial development.
According to 2025 Trade Map data, Indonesia’s exports to Russia were dominated by animal and vegetable fats and oils, valued at US$972.84 million. Other major export commodities included inorganic chemicals worth US$300.34 million, cocoa and its derivatives worth US$122.68 million, and coffee, tea, maté, and spices worth US$111.22 million.
Indonesia also exports machinery and mechanical equipment, rubber and rubber products, processed foods, other chemical products, footwear, and wood products to Russia.
Meanwhile, Indonesia’s imports from Russia in 2025 were led by mineral fuels and oils, valued at US$1.76 billion, followed by fertilizers worth US$697.96 million and iron and steel worth US$268.70 million.
To advance bilateral cooperation, the Ministry of Industry proposed that Indonesia and Russia identify priority industrial projects with strong implementation potential.
Sarmuji also expressed hope that both countries’ membership in BRICS would help strengthen bilateral relations and create more opportunities for investment and industrial cooperation.
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Translator: Ahmad Muzdaffar, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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