Kadin Chairman Anindya Pushes Indonesia-UK Cooperation in Infrastructure, Energy, and Healthcare
JAKARTA, investortrust.id – Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Anindya Novyan Bakrie held discussions with a delegation from the United Kingdom (UK) to strengthen bilateral trade cooperation. According to Anindya, the meeting was part of Kadin’s ongoing efforts as a strategic partner of the Indonesian government.
The discussion also served as a follow-up to President Prabowo Subianto’s recent meetings with King Charles III and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, reinforcing Indonesia-UK economic ties.
UK’s Interest in Indonesian Infrastructure and Energy Sectors
Anindya revealed that the UK has strong investment potential in Indonesia’s infrastructure sector. "Infrastructure was one of the topics discussed with the UK because there are many projects seeking partnerships and privatization," Anindya said.
"The UK, known for its robust pension funds and mutual funds linked to the London Stock Exchange, could play a significant role in these developments," he stated on Tuesday evening, following the Uzbekistan-Indonesia Business Forum at The Ritz-Carlton in Jakarta.
Highlighting a major investment agreement, Anindya noted that British Petroleum (BP) had signed deals worth up to $8 billion with Indonesia.
Healthcare and Workforce Development
Beyond renewable energy investments, Anindya emphasized the importance of expanding Indonesia-UK cooperation into the healthcare sector.
The discussion was particularly relevant following Indonesia’s official launch of the Free Health Check Program on Feb 10, 2025, which aims to provide medical check-ups for all 250 million Indonesian citizens.
"This program could generate an invaluable health database for Indonesia. We are also encouraging the UK to explore opportunities in healthcare collaboration," Anindya said.
Additionally, he underscored the importance of education and workforce training, particularly in equipping Indonesian workers with skills aligned with global market demands.
"We also discussed workforce training initiatives. The goal is to open new markets in Western countries by enhancing Indonesia’s skilled labor force," he added.
Attracting Foreign Investment for Long-Term Growth
Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) previously stated that four foreign countries have expressed interest in investing in Indonesia’s infrastructure sector.
"Countries across Asia, Europe, America, and the Middle East have shown strong interest in becoming part of Indonesia’s infrastructure development," AHY told reporters at the Indonesian Defense University in Bogor on Jan 24, 2025.
He stressed the need for the government to maintain strong bilateral ties with these foreign investors while ensuring legal certainty, land rights security, and investment-friendly regulations to attract long-term commitments.
"Trust and confidence are essential. Investors need regulatory clarity and a streamlined investment process to support Indonesia’s growth," AHY concluded.
With discussions covering multiple sectors—from infrastructure and energy to healthcare and education—the Indonesia-UK partnership is poised for significant expansion, benefiting both economies in the long run.