Kuwait and Indonesia look to deepen ties across trade, investment and energy
The Times Kuwait Report
Kuwait and Indonesia are looking to build on their longstanding friendship by expanding cooperation in trade, investment, energy, education, culture and tourism, Indonesian Ambassador to Kuwait H.E. Lena Maryana said.
Speaking at a diplomatic reception held at the Fotouh Ballroom of the Regency Hotel Kuwait on Monday, August 17, to mark the 81st anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence, Ambassador Maryana said bilateral relations have continued to develop steadily as the two countries also mark 58 years of diplomatic relations.
The reception, hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Kuwait, brought together Minister of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy Dr. Sabeeh Abdulaziz Abdulmohsen Al-Mukhaizeem, ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions, representatives of international organizations, members of the business community and other distinguished guests.
The event highlighted the enduring friendship between Kuwait and Indonesia and the growing scope of cooperation between the two countries. Recalling that Kuwait and Indonesia established diplomatic relations on February 28, 1968, Maryana said cooperation has expanded over the years, both bilaterally and through regional and international platforms.
She pointed to several agreements signed between the two countries, including the establishment of a Joint Commission, and said both sides are working to accelerate the implementation of existing memoranda of understanding.
The two countries have agreed to hold the second session of the Joint Ministerial Commission in late November 2026, while preparations are also underway for the first Indonesia-Kuwait Energy Forum, which will be held in Indonesia.
Trade remains a key priority
Trade is one of the areas where Indonesia sees considerable potential for further growth. Maryana said Indonesia is aiming for at least 10 percent annual growth in bilateral trade, while also seeking to establish a more balanced trading relationship between the two countries.
She expressed hope that negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between Indonesia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) could be completed in 2026, describing the agreement as an important opportunity to strengthen Indonesia’s economic engagement with Kuwait and the wider Gulf region.
Kuwaiti investment gaining momentum
Kuwaiti investment in Indonesia is also showing positive momentum, particularly in the oil and gas sector through the Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC).
Maryana said Kuwaiti investment in Indonesia’s non-oil sectors reached approximately $1.2 million in 2025, compared with $1 million in 2024. Investments have been concentrated mainly in Jakarta and Bali, particularly in real estate and industrial development.
She added that Kuwaiti foreign direct investment in Indonesia increased by 20.26 percent from the previous year. The Ambassador expressed confidence that investment flows could increase further as both countries strengthen their investment relationship, including through work toward a bilateral investment agreement.
Energy cooperation set to expand
Energy is emerging as another important area of cooperation, with both sides preparing for the first Indonesia-Kuwait Energy Forum. The initiative is expected to provide a platform for government officials, energy companies and investors from both countries to explore opportunities in the sector and identify new areas for cooperation.
Maryana said Indonesia sees considerable scope for deeper engagement with Kuwait as both countries work to expand economic partnerships beyond traditional areas of cooperation.
Education and people-to-people ties
Beyond trade and investment, Maryana emphasized the importance of education and cultural exchanges in bringing the two peoples closer. She highlighted the visit of 12 outstanding Kuwaiti female students to Indonesia in January 2026, sponsored by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development.
During their visit, the students toured several important projects in Indonesia financed by the Kuwait Fund since 1960. Maryana said Indonesia also wants to expand cultural exchanges and encourage more Kuwaitis to experience the country’s diverse culture and heritage through government-supported programmes. She welcomed Kuwait’s scholarship and Arabic-language education initiatives, noting that four Indonesian students are currently studying in Kuwait on full government scholarships. She expressed hope that such opportunities would continue and that more Indonesian students could benefit from educational exchanges.
Tourism offers further potential
Tourism is another sector where both countries see significant room for growth. According to Maryana, 5,166 Kuwaiti tourists visited Indonesia in 2025, up from 5,090 in 2024. She said Indonesia hopes to attract more Kuwaiti visitors by promoting its diverse tourism offerings, cultural heritage and natural attractions, while encouraging greater travel and people-to-people exchanges.
Appreciation for Kuwait’s humanitarian role
Maryana also praised Kuwait’s longstanding humanitarian efforts and its support for communities in need around the world. She noted that several schools in rural areas of Indonesia were built and continue to serve local communities with assistance from Kuwaiti charitable organizations. The Ambassador also expressed appreciation for the Kuwaiti government’s efforts to provide protection and care for Indonesian nationals living in the country.
Indonesian community contributes across key sectors
More than 6,000 Indonesians currently live in Kuwait, working across sectors including healthcare, oil and gas, hospitality and industry, Maryana said. She added that Indonesia is encouraging greater recruitment of skilled Indonesian workers to Kuwait, which she said would further strengthen the human and economic links between the two countries.
At the beginning of the reception, Ambassador Maryana called on guests to observe a minute of silence for the victims of a recent earthquake in Indonesia, extending condolences to their families and communities affected by the disaster.
Concluding her remarks, she thanked members of the Indonesian community in Kuwait, its various organizations and associations, as well as the staff of the Indonesian Embassy, for their continued support. The reception served as a reflection of the close ties between Kuwait and Indonesia and the shared ambition to translate their longstanding friendship into deeper economic, energy, cultural and people-to-people cooperation in the years ahead.
