November 22, 2025 | 01:56 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka attended the Indonesia-Africa CEO Forum 2025 in Johannesburg on Friday, November 21, 2025. Held concurrently with the G20 Summit, the forum is considered a critical opportunity to consolidate investment opportunities, strengthen trade, and foster strategic synergy between Indonesian and South African businesses.
The meeting also marked the inaugural launch of the Indonesia-South Africa High-Level Business Council (ISA-HLBC). This new mechanism is designed to bring together the government and the industrial sector to accelerate priority projects and cross-sector collaborations. The forum is planned to be held annually, rotating between Johannesburg and Jakarta.
"This meeting is a significant step to strengthen economic relations and collaboration between the two countries," Gibran stated, as quoted in the official release from the Vice President's Secretariat on Saturday, November 22, 2025.
Economic Diplomacy and Visa Policy
This diplomatic effort aligns with President Prabowo Subianto's directive regarding the strengthening of economic diplomacy with Global South countries, particularly focusing on the energy, defense, infrastructure, and industrial supply chain sectors. Gibran emphasized that Indonesia's relationship with South Africa is built on a strong historical foundation dating back to the Asia-Africa Conference in 1955.
Gibran added that Indonesia's commitment to promoting strategic collaborations is increasingly relevant amid current global economic dynamics. "Through collaboration, a growing economy can transform the future in a fairer and more inclusive manner," he remarked.
He specifically highlighted the recent decision by both countries to implement visa-free policies as a step designed to accelerate economic and business exchanges. "With visa-free policies, the mobility of business actors, investors, and the public will become easier, opening up even greater opportunities for both countries," he explained.
Gibran conveyed the Indonesian government's readiness to support the business sector of both nations. "Africa is the future, and Indonesia wants to build the future together with Africa," said the son of former President Joko Widodo.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto views the forum as a strategic platform to ensure that the economic cooperation between Indonesia and South Africa progresses in a measured and sustainable manner.
Meanwhile, Anindya Bakrie, Chair of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), referred to the forum as a transformative platform that connects the private and government sectors to generate real-value partnerships.
Simphiwe Hamilton, Director General of the South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, stated that the collaboration extends beyond mere business exchanges; it is a long-term strategy to build economic self-sufficiency in the Global South. He concluded that the forum sends a strong signal that the two countries are moving towards a strategic partnership that creates economic value and development.
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