The ambassador delivered her assessment in a press statement issued to mark Indonesia’s upcoming 81st Independence Day celebrations on August 17. Maryana pointed to the second Joint Ministerial Committee meeting and the first political consultations set for November in addition to arrangements for the inaugural Indonesian-Kuwaiti Energy Forum to be hosted in Indonesia. These planned engagements reflect expanding cooperation across political, economic, investment and cultural fields according to the envoy. She also noted that overall trade remains below the two countries’ full potential despite the recorded expansion.
Maryana provided a breakdown showing Indonesian exports to Kuwait at $193 million against imports of $412.5 million from the Gulf state during 2025. The figures place Kuwait as the 66th largest destination for Indonesian goods and the 42nd biggest source of imports. The ambassador expressed hope that annual trade growth of at least 10 percent could help achieve a more balanced relationship over time.
Negotiations on a free trade agreement between Indonesia and the GCC countries should conclude this year the ambassador added. A statement issued by Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto in June 2026 confirmed that both sides aimed to finalise the Indonesia-GCC FTA by the end of the year while advancing energy security collaboration. Hartarto’s account also noted the 10.7 percent rise in bilateral trade recorded for 2025.
Kuwaiti investments in Indonesia have focused on the oil and gas sector primarily through Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company. Maryana reported that Kuwaiti foreign direct investment in Indonesia grew 20.26 percent compared with 2024 levels. The envoy described the trajectory as positive and indicative of further opportunities for joint projects.
The number of Kuwaiti tourists travelling to Indonesia stood at 5,166 in 2025 according to the ambassador up from 5,090 the previous year. Visitor arrivals had recovered from 2,016 in 2022 and 4,692 in 2023 with 691 recorded in May 2026 alone. Maryana voiced support for expanded cultural and educational partnerships including an increase in Kuwaiti scholarships for Indonesian students in undergraduate and Arabic language programmes.
Kuwait is home to more than 6,000 Indonesian nationals most of whom work in health care, oil and gas, hospitality and manufacturing the ambassador stated. She praised Kuwaiti charities for building and operating schools in rural parts of Indonesia as part of broader humanitarian contributions. Maryana affirmed Indonesia’s interest in strengthening these people-to-people and relief ties in the years ahead.
