Indonesia is accelerating its renewable energy ambitions with a plan to develop 100 gigawatts (GW) of solar power capacity within three years, reflecting its commitment to expanding cleaner energy sources and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. According to the Financial Times, declining solar technology costs and advances in battery storage are strengthening the economic case for renewable energy development. Solar power generation in Indonesia is now estimated to be more cost-competitive than coal, creating potential opportunities for international investors in solar infrastructure, energy storage and supporting technologies. However, translating these ambitions into operational projects will require substantial financing and clearer implementation frameworks. The proposed solar programme is estimated to cost US$73 billion, highlighting the need for international investment, stronger regulatory certainty and collaboration between public and private stakeholders. Indonesia’s energy transition therefore presents significant long-term investment potential, while underscoring the importance of securing financing and ensuring effective project delivery. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2026. All rights reserved. Edited by: Simon Mundy Link to the article: https://www.ft.com/content/3cd95c0c-4d62-4a74-8c66-34523bc2567d?syn-25a6b1a6=1

Image: IDNFinancials Indonesia is advancing the second phase of its critical minerals downstreaming strategy, shifting from mineral processing and refining towards higher-value industries, including electric vehicle (EV) batteries, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and advanced manufacturing. The government’s downstreaming roadmap covers 28 strategic commodities, with estimated investment requirements of US$618.1 billion through 2040. In the first half of 2026, downstreaming investment reached IDR300.1 trillion (approximately US$16.86 billion), accounting for 29.7% of national investment, with foreign direct investment contributing 70.9%. The next phase aims to strengthen industrial competitiveness, attract long-term investment, and deepen Indonesia’s integration into global EV supply chains. Key priorities include technology transfer, reliable raw material supplies, and the commercial viability of battery component manufacturing. Edited by: Lisa Monica, Dhika PriambodoSource: IDNFinancials — Indonesia targets EV batteries and BESS in second-stage downstreaming© 2026 IDNFinancials. Do not republish without attribution.

The Lady Mayor of the City of London, Dame Susan Langley (fourth from left), during her visit to Jakarta on 16–17 September 2026. (Photo: British Embassy Jakarta) The Lady Mayor of the City of London, Dame Susan Langley, visited Jakarta on 16–17 September 2026 to strengthen bilateral cooperation in financial and professional services, investment, insurance, and sustainable economic development. During her visit, Dame Susan met with senior Indonesian government officials, investors, and business leaders, including representatives from the Financial Services Authority (OJK), Indonesia Investment Authority (INA), and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN). Discussions focused on mobilising long-term capital, supporting infrastructure financing, strengthening capital markets, and advancing sustainable investment. A dedicated insurance roundtable also explored opportunities for collaboration between London and Indonesia in disaster risk management, infrastructure insurance, climate resilience, energy security, and sustainable investment. The discussions highlighted the potential role of London’s financial expertise in supporting Indonesia’s infrastructure development and economic priorities. The visit underscored the growing importance of UK–Indonesia economic cooperation, with bilateral trade exceeding £4 billion in the previous year. It also reaffirmed both countries’ interest in expanding financial partnerships, facilitating investment opportunities, and supporting long-term economic growth. Reporter & Editor by: Mellani Eka Mahayana Source: https://rm.id/amp/baca-berita/internasional/326551/lady-mayor-of-london-kunjungi-indonesia-perkuat-kerja-sama-jasa-keuangan

ASEAN’s ability to act with clarity will be tested more than ever in 2026. (Image courtesy of Bernama) European businesses are calling for a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) between the European Union and ASEAN, arguing that a region-wide framework would offer greater economic benefits than separate bilateral agreements and strengthen Europe’s competitiveness in Southeast Asia. According to the 2026 EU–ASEAN Business Sentiment Survey, 74 per cent of respondents favoured a region-to-region FTA, while half supported launching negotiations in 2027, marking 50 years of EU–ASEAN diplomatic relations. Conducted between 16 April and 3 July, the survey gathered responses from 148 senior European business representatives, reflecting approximately 800 reported business presences across ASEAN. The findings also revealed competitive concerns, with 88 per cent of respondents believing European companies face disadvantages compared with businesses from countries benefiting from regional trade agreements with ASEAN. While the EU already has FTAs in force with Singapore and Vietnam, Indonesia concluded negotiations on its Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA) in 2025, with signing targeted for late 2026. Amid global trade tensions and geopolitical uncertainty, ASEAN is becoming increasingly important for supply-chain diversification. Among companies considering adjustments to their supply chains, 67 per cent identified ASEAN as a potential destination, compared with 29 per cent for South Asia and 24 per cent for China. Indonesia ranked second among ASEAN markets targeted for European business expansion, with 57 per cent of respondents planning to expand operations in the country over the next five years, behind Vietnam at 64 per cent. Furthermore, 32 per cent of businesses without an existing presence in Indonesia expressed interest in entering the market. Despite this positive outlook, challenges remain. Local-content requirements, regulatory complexity and non-tariff barriers continue to affect market access, particularly in electric vehicles, pharmaceuticals and renewable energy. Across ASEAN, 73 per cent of respondents identified barriers to efficient regional supply chains, while 83 per cent indicated they would expand regional operations if such barriers were reduced. The findings underscore Indonesia’s potential to attract further European business expansion, while highlighting the importance of regulatory improvements, stronger regional integration and a more predictable investment environment. Written by: Ruth Dea Juwita (The Jakarta Post) This article was published in thejakartapost.com with the title “European businesses want ASEAN FTA despite bilateral trade progress”. Click to read: https://www.thejakartapost.com/business/2026/09/09/european-businesses-want-asean-fta-despite-bilateral-trade-progress

Mataram, NTB (ANTARA) – The Indonesian province of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) and the Romanian government have agreed to broaden bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors, including renewable energy, cultural exchange, and a “sister province” partnership. During a meeting with Romanian Ambassador to Indonesia Dan Adrian Balanescu on Monday (September 28), NTB Governor Lalu Muhamad Iqbal highlighted the province’s ambitious target to significantly boost its green energy capacity. “We are highly focused on renewable energy development. Our goal is to provide at least 1.5 gigawatts within the next five years. Currently, our renewable energy mix is among the highest in Indonesia, standing at 25 percent,” Iqbal said. He cited solar and micro-hydro power plants as the primary green energy sources currently being developed across the region. Beyond energy transition, the proposed cooperation spans education, mining, industry, agriculture, water management, and healthcare. These initiatives are designed to foster international knowledge exchange, boost investment, and drive technological advancement in the province. Ambassador Balanescu also proposed establishing a formal sister-province relationship between NTB and a region in Romania. Governor Iqbal welcomed the initiative, expressing a specific interest in partnering with Iasi County. “Culturally, we share an affinity with Iasi. Furthermore, Indonesia has many alumni from Alexandru Ioan Cuza University (in Iasi), especially in health-related fields,” Iqbal explained. This proposed partnership presents an opportunity for both regions to extend their relationship beyond government-to-government ties, fostering people-to-people connections, academic exchanges, professional networks, and business collaborations. To further strengthen cultural diplomacy, the NTB provincial government formally invited the Romanian Embassy to participate in the province’s 68th-anniversary celebrations scheduled for December 17–19. Romania is expected to host cultural and culinary exhibitions, featuring traditional food demonstrations and cultural performances. “For NTB, this involvement is part of our effort to showcase the region’s rich cultural heritage while creating a broader platform for interaction between our people and the international community,” Iqbal added. To facilitate this growing partnership, Ambassador Balanescu conveyed plans to open a Romanian Honorary Consulate in NTB. The new diplomatic outpost will serve as a bridge to streamline communication and unlock future collaborations, particularly between Indonesian and Romanian business sectors.

Image: Danantara Indonesia Jakarta, 24 September 2026 – Danantara Indonesia and French technology group Thales have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore potential investments in artificial intelligence (AI), defence systems, digital technologies, and cybersecurity. The partnership aims to strengthen Indonesia’s technological capabilities, industrial competitiveness, and long-term economic resilience. Building on Thales’ nearly 50-year presence in Indonesia, the collaboration will explore opportunities in defence technology manufacturing, maintenance facilities, airport security, cybersecurity operations centres, and advanced technologies, including post-quantum solutions. The partnership also opens opportunities for collaboration with Indonesian state-owned enterprises (SOEs), supporting technology transfer, high-skilled job creation, and the development of domestic industrial capabilities. Danantara Indonesia and Thales highlighted the importance of strategic technology investments in fostering innovation, strengthening national technological capabilities, and supporting sustainable economic growth. The MoU represents an initial step towards potential investment projects, with specific initiatives subject to further assessment and agreements between both parties. Source: Danantara Indonesia, 24 September 2026.

Investment and Downstreaming Minister Rosan Roeslani gives a statement to reporters after reporting economic developments to the President during a limited meeting at the State Palace in Jakarta, Monday (October 19, 2026). /ANTARA/HO-BPMI Sekretariat Presiden. Jakarta (ANTARA) – Investment and Downstreaming Minister Rosan Roeslani said investment realization as of September 2026 reached Rp1,539.2 trillion, absorbing 2.19 million new workers. “Investment from January through September 2026 absorbed 2,194,496 workers,” he said at Merdeka Palace here on Monday. Roeslani explained that the national investment achievement had met 75.4 percent of the target set by the government for the whole year. For the third quarter of 2026 alone, investment reached Rp528.7 trillion. Foreign direct investment (PMA) was recorded contributing Rp777.8 trillion, or 50.5 percent, slightly higher than domestic direct investment (PMDN), which reached Rp761.4 trillion. Even distribution of economic development also showed a positive trend, with investment outside Java dominating at Rp779.4 trillion, or 50.6 percent of the total. Meanwhile, investment in Java followed at Rp759.8 trillion, equal to 49.4 percent. Singapore was the largest source country of foreign capital invested in Indonesia, with a value of US$14 billion. “First, Singapore at US$14 billion, or 29.6 percent, second Hong Kong at US$12.8 billion, or 27.2 percent, and third China at US$5 billion, or 10.5 percent,” he said. Meanwhile, investment flowing specifically into downstreaming from January through September 2026 recorded a significant Rp480 trillion. The mineral sector remained the largest contributor at Rp335.1 trillion, covering commodities such as nickel, bauxite, iron and steel, copper, and silica sand. “Second, plantations and forestry at Rp83.6 trillion, oil and natural gas at Rp54 trillion, and fisheries and marine at Rp7.3 trillion. But specifically, investment realization outside Java reached 78 percent of total (downstreaming) investment,” Roeslani said. Translator: Aditya, KenzuEditor: PrimayantiCopyright © ANTARA 2026 https://en.antaranews.com/news/436673/investment-hits-rp15392-trillion-through-september