February 5, 2026 | 10:40 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Rod Brazier stated that the exploration of strengthening investment cooperation between Indonesia and Australia is being carried out as a continuation of the growing bilateral trade relationship since the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) came into effect. Rod stated that increasing Australian investment in Indonesia is a key focus of the future economic relationship between the two countries.
"We see this as an opportunity to emphasize the importance of Australian investment in Indonesia, which continues to increase and is expected to continue growing," Rod said after the Indonesia-Australia Bilateral Business Roundtable at the 2026 Indonesia Economic Summit in Jakarta on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, as quoted by Antara.
The relationship between Australia and Indonesia is now not only based on trade, but is also shifting towards strengthening investment to strengthen the long-term partnership between the two countries. Australia has appointed the Chancellor of the University of Western Sydney, Jennifer Westacott, as Australia's Business Champion for Indonesia to encourage the involvement of Australian businesses in trade and investment cooperation with Indonesia.
Jennifer revealed that Australia's current trade mission to Indonesia is more concrete and oriented towards exploring investment cooperation. "This week we're bringing a delegation from 19 Australian organizations with 29 participants from the investment community, including fund managers with total assets under management exceeding one trillion US dollars," she said.
The mission, Jennifer said, is focused on identifying partners, financing schemes, joint projects, and long-term investment opportunities in Indonesia. Indonesia-Australia trade relations have progressed rapidly since the IA-CEPA came into effect five years ago, with trade value tripling. "We already have a credible trade relationship. Now the focus is on how to encourage investment."
She revealed that in discussions with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) and the Indonesian Agency for International Development (Apindo), the Australian delegation discussed various factors that could open up investment opportunities, including policy certainty, contract clarity, and project readiness. Australian investors see Indonesia as an attractive and large-scale investment destination, with a commitment to long-term investment.
Jennifer also stated that sectors of interest to Australian investors include education, health, energy, waste-to-energy, clean energy, infrastructure, and digital. Specifically regarding waste-to-energy, her office has received a presentation from Danantara Indonesia and has begun initial discussions with Australian business players. "Australia has capabilities in the waste-to-energy sector, and this week we began exploring the possibility of a partnership with Danantara," he said.
Furthermore, Rod added that the strengthening of economic cooperation aligns with the Australian Prime Minister's planned visit to Indonesia in early 2026 to meet with President Prabowo Subianto. "The visit (by the Australian Prime Minister) has been previously announced, and it is hoped that it will further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries."
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