Indonesian Ambassador Lena Maryana outlined expanding cooperation between her country and Kuwait during a reception held at the Indonesian Embassy on August 18, 2026 to celebrate the 81st anniversary of Indonesian independence. The ambassador called for a minute of silence to remember victims of a recent earthquake in Indonesia and conveyed condolences to the affected families. The gathering was attended by Kuwait’s Minister of Electricity Water and Renewable Energy Dr. Subaih Al-Mukhaizeem as well as other ambassadors and dignitaries according to the envoy’s remarks at the event.
Maryana noted that the two countries have enjoyed diplomatic relations for 58 years since they were established on February 28 1968. She pointed to reciprocal high-level visits and a series of cooperation agreements as the foundation for bilateral ties that the ambassador characterized as continuing to strengthen. The theme chosen for this year’s independence celebrations was A Sovereign Just and Prosperous Indonesia the envoy said.
Plans for the second session of the Joint Ministerial Committee are set to take place at the end of November 2026 Maryana stated. Arrangements for the inaugural Indonesian-Kuwaiti Energy Forum in Indonesia are also progressing with the ambassador expressing appreciation for Al-Mukhaizeem’s participation in the reception as a sign of the robust relationship. She urged faster implementation of existing memorandums of understanding to deepen collaboration across sectors.
The ambassador set a target of 10 percent annual growth in trade volume between the two nations while working toward more balanced exchanges. She expressed hope that a free trade agreement between Indonesia and the Gulf Cooperation Council could be finalized within the current year. According to the Kuwait News Agency Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs welcomed closer trade and investment links with Kuwait during a meeting in July 2026 highlighting opportunities in the Asian economy.
Kuwaiti investments in Indonesia’s non-oil and gas sectors stood at approximately 1.2 million dollars in 2025 representing an increase of 200,000 dollars from the 1 million dollars recorded in 2024 Maryana reported. Overall foreign direct investment inflows to Indonesia rose by 20.26 percent that year with Kuwait placed as the 90th largest source following the 87th position in 2024. The envoy welcomed Kuwaiti scholarships offered to Indonesian students noting that four are currently pursuing undergraduate studies and Arabic language programs on full scholarships.
Tourist numbers from Kuwait to Indonesia reached 5,166 by the end of 2025 compared with 5,090 a year earlier according to the ambassador. More than 6,000 Indonesian nationals are employed in Kuwait across healthcare oil and gas hospitality and manufacturing sectors. The Indonesian government continues to promote the recruitment of skilled workers from the country to Kuwait Maryana added while emphasizing the mutual benefits of enhanced people-to-people ties.
