During Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s visit to Indonesia in April 2023, MoUs were signed focusing on enhancing bilateral relations in healthcare, energy, education, agriculture, and sustainable development. The Czech Republic is one of Indonesia’s largest trading partners in Central Europe with bilateral trade reaching over US$250mn in 2022. The two countries have cooperated in the field of higher education through partnerships that facilitate student and scholar mobility. Furthermore, the Czech Republic has been providing financial support for projects dedicated to conservation of endangered species and sharing knowledge with Indonesian civil society organizations. Czech businesses have invested in projects in water and wastewater management, organic farming, and hydropower energy in Indonesia. Defense and security remain at the heart of the Czech-Indonesian partnership.
The Czech Republic has long been one of the Indonesia’s key strategic partners in Europe, with trade and investment between the two countries enjoying a steady ascent over the decades. The latest visit by Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš to Indonesia gave a further boost to these bilateral ties, reinforcing the commitment by both countries to enhance economic, political and cultural cooperation.
The visit marks a significant milestone in the relationship between the two nations. Prime Minister Babiš expressed his admiration for Indonesia’s impressive economic achievements and pledged to strengthen bilateral ties and expand areas of collaboration. In turn, Indonesian President Joko Widodo welcomed the Czech delegation and praised the productive cooperation between the two countries over the years.
One of the key areas of focus during the visit was economic cooperation. The Czech Republic is Indonesia’s second largest trading partner among the EU countries, and there is increasing interest in further enhancing this cooperation in the areas of infrastructure, energy, healthcare and education. An investment agreement signed during the visit will facilitate greater investments by Czech companies in Indonesia, especially in the automotive, defence, and manufacturing sectors. The Czech delegation also introduced innovative technologies and products to Indonesian companies as a part of efforts to deepen trade relations.
Another important initiative pursued by Prime Minister Babiš during his visit was the exchange of knowledge and expertise in scientific and technical fields. The Czech Republic has one of the most advanced scientific communities in the world, and their expertise can provide significant value to Indonesia in areas such as renewable energy, water management, and agriculture. Cooperation in these fields will help Indonesia address its most pressing challenges and improve the lives of its citizens.
The Czech Republic and Indonesia also share a common interest in cultural exchange and preservation. During the visit, an agreement on cultural cooperation was signed, which encompasses joint cultural events, exhibitions, academic exchange, and language courses. This agreement will foster greater understanding and appreciation of the two nations’ unique cultures and histories.
The visit of Prime Minister Babiš to Indonesia demonstrates the strong commitment of both countries to build upon their existing partnership and forge new avenues for cooperation. The two nations share a strong affinity for values such as democracy, respect for human rights, and sustainable development, and their collaboration is expected to lead to mutual benefits in trade, investment, and cultural exchange. The visit represents an important milestone in the relationship between Czech Republic and Indonesia, and highlights the potential for even greater development of this strategic partnership in the future.
