Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin with business delegation in Indonesia
Bern, 25.09.2025 — The head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin, will lead an economic mission to Indonesia from 30 September to 3 October. The purpose of the visit is to deepen bilateral economic relations.
Mr Parmelin will be accompanied on his trip to Jakarta and Bandung by a Swiss business delegation comprising representatives of leading companies from various sectors. They will have the opportunity to meet decision-makers in person, expand their network and explore business opportunities.
Meetings are planned with Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, Minister of Investment and Downstream Industry Rosan Roeslani and Minister of National Development Planning Rachmat Pambud. Exchanges with Swiss and Indonesian companies locally are a further focus of the trip. The delegation will gain an overview of the opportunities and challenges of the Indonesian market with a reception for Swiss business people in Jakarta, company visits, and a conference on Swiss expertise in the infrastructure sector.
In addition, representatives of the private sector – led by economiesuisse and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) – will organise the fourth Trade & Sustainability Council. This platform is intended to support sustainable business practices and initiate and implement specific projects in domains such as the circular economy, energy supply, education and infrastructure.
Partner with great potential
Indonesia is part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the largest economy in Southeast Asia, and the only member of the G20 from this region. The country, which stretches across more than 17,000 islands, is home to the fourth-largest population in the world. Indonesia's economy is developing robustly, with long-term forecasts suggesting it could become the world’s fourth-largest by 2050.
Accordingly, Indonesia represents a partner with significant potential for Switzerland. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between EFTA and Indonesia, which has been in force since 2021, and the Bilateral Investment Protection Agreement of 2024 create favourable framework conditions. Through the coordinated use of all instruments of trade diplomacy, export promotion and development cooperation, Switzerland is working to secure market access for Swiss companies and support their involvement in major infrastructure projects in the country.
As part of its economic development cooperation, Switzerland is supporting Indonesia's ambitious goals to transform itself from an emerging to an industrialised country by 2045. During his trip, Mr Parmelin will launch the new 2025–2028 SECO Cooperation Programme. This involves targeted support for measures that enable a more sustainable, resilient and competitive economy. Switzerland has also offered to support Indonesia's candidacy for membership of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) with its expertise.
Bilateral relations Switzerland–Indonesia: Bilateral relations Switzerland–Indonesia
The Federal Council's South East Asia Strategy 2023–2026: South East Asia Strategy 2023-2026
The Federal Council's Asia G20 Strategy: Asia G20 Strategy
SECO Economic Cooperation and Development: Indonesia