Jakarta (VNA) – Vietnam and Indonesia are stepping up efforts to strengthen their economic partnership across multiple sectors, aiming to unlock new opportunities in trade, investment, and innovation.
Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) on October 16 held a Vietnam–Indonesia Business Forum in Banten within the framework of Trade Expo Indonesia 2025, providing an open platform for government agencies, business associations, and enterprises from both countries to exchange views, share market information, and explore potential partnerships in fields, particularly pharmaceuticals and medical equipment.
Addressing the forum, Dr. Nguyen Phuc Nam, Deputy Director of the MoIT’s Department of International Market Development, highlighted the diversity and dynamism of Vietnam–Indonesia economic relations. He proposed four key directions to deepen bilateral cooperation.
First, he suggested enhancing policy dialogue and harmonising trade and investment regulations between the two governments, while promoting digitalisation of import–export procedures toward building an ASEAN Smart Customs System.
Second, he encouraged enterprises to form production partnerships in high value-added industries such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, agro-processing, electronics, green energy, and logistics.
Third, he called for greater business-to-business (B2B) connection through trade fairs, digital platforms, and innovation programmes to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seize cooperation opportunities.
Fourth, he emphasised the importance of human resource development, expert exchanges, and technology transfer, particularly in smart manufacturing, logistics, and supply chain management.
Nam noted that both governments are pursuing goals related to green growth, circular economy, and digital transformation, creating fertile ground for businesses to strengthen collaboration. As members of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), various ASEAN free trade agreements with partners, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Vietnam and Indonesia share a strong legal framework to expand trade and investment ties.
A special discussion session at the forum focused on cooperation in pharmaceuticals and medical devices.
Febie Yoenza, Vice President of the Indonesian Association of Medical Device Manufacturers (ASPAK), said that the two countries hold great potential for collaboration. Indonesia could increase its exports to Vietnam, while Vietnam has developed innovative medical technology industries, including cardiac stent manufacturing and advanced medical software.
She noted that Vietnam has strong capabilities to transfer technology to Indonesia’s medical equipment industry. In addition, the two sides could cooperate in research and development between businesses, universities, and research institutes./.
