Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto speaks during a plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 20, 2025. -- REUTERS/Anton Vaganov
ST PETERSBURG (Reuters): Indonesia wants to see more Russian involvement in its economy, President Prabowo Subianto said on Friday, a day after signing a declaration with President Vladimir Putin on creating a strategic partnership.
"We know Russian corporations and we would like to see Russia participate more in our economy," Prabowo said in a speech to the St Petersburg International Economic Forum.
Indonesia is a non-aligned country that values the leadership of Russia and China, Prabowo said, adding that he believed many countries in the Global South would agree.
He said Indonesia was moving ahead of target towards its goal of self-sufficiency in food, and would be a net exporter of rice and corn within a few years.
Indonesia also expects to sign a free trade agreement with the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) this year in a move likely to boost demand for its commodity exports, its senior economic minister said.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said the agreement would open up new opportunities for commodities including crude palm oil, coffee and natural rubber.
Both parties announced on Thursday they had completed substantive talks for the agreement.
