Indonesia Roundup: Exports, investment, iPhone ban, health enhancement

India-Indonesia ties

During a bilateral meeting at the G20 Summit, Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto requested India's assistance in enhancing health education by welcoming Indian professors and doctors to Indonesian universities. Indonesia faces a shortage of 160,000 doctors, prompting Prabowo to propose cooperation in the health and education sectors. He also expressed interest in Indian investment in Indonesia's pharmaceutical industry and hospitals, and highlighted the importance of increasing Indonesian students studying in India. According to The Star, Prabowo noted Indonesia's intention to import rice from India and appreciated India's support during his presidential inauguration. The two leaders emphasised the long-standing and harmonious relationship between their countries.

Export growth target

Indonesia aims for a 9.6% growth in exports by 2029 to support President Prabowo Subianto's economic growth target of up to 8%. For 2025, the export growth target is set at 7.1%. As of September 2024, Indonesia recorded an export value of USD 192.85 billion, a 0.32% increase year-on-year, and a trade surplus of USD 3.26 billion. The Ministry of Trade is optimistic about achieving these goals through trade contracts with partners and market diversification, especially with countries under free trade agreements, Antaranews reports.

Woman café in Indonesia

Qurrata Ayuni operates Morning Mama, the only woman-run cafe in Banda Aceh, Indonesia's conservative province. Opened to provide a comfortable space for women, it offers an alternative to male-dominated coffee shops. Despite Aceh's strict adherence to Sharia law, which impacts women's career opportunities, Qurrata aims to empower women through her business. The Hindu reports that she employs both women and men, serves a mostly female clientele, and includes children's books and menstrual products. After surviving the 2004 tsunami, which claimed her parents, she is motivated to help other women find resilience and challenge societal norms. Qurrata believes in women's potential as leaders and innovators, encouraging them to pursue their dreams despite societal constraints.

Apple investments

Apple Inc. is set to invest approximately $100 million in Indonesia over the next two years, following a government ban on the sale of its iPhone 16 model. Initially, Apple planned a $10 million investment for accessory and component production in Bandung. The increased investment responds to Indonesia's industry ministry's emphasis on local smartphone research and development, Techinasia reports. 

Development

During the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia emphasised the country's commitment to combating hunger and poverty, highlighting these issues as critical for the fourth-largest population globally. He outlined a national strategy prioritising education and social programs, including free meals for students, to alleviate poverty. Prabowo aims to achieve food and energy security within the next few years and stressed the interconnectedness of global economic challenges and geopolitical dynamics. He called for a ceasefire in Ukraine and Gaza to foster peace and stability necessary for addressing poverty and hunger effectively, according to Antaranews.