Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto met with the French business community represented by CEOs of several large companies during his visit to Paris on Thursday (July 25), local time.
The ministry's Head of the Public Relations Bureau, Brigadier General Edwin Adrian Sumantha, stated on Friday that the meeting aims to explore opportunities to expand and improve cooperation between the two countries.
"We found many opportunities and potentials to establish closer cooperation in various economic sectors. Through intensive dialogue and collaboration, we can establish significant mutual benefits for both countries," Subianto said during his speech at the meeting, as quoted from the press statement from his office.
The meeting, which was packaged into an Indonesian-France Business Executive Luncheon, was also attended by Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Anindya N. Bakrie, and Indonesian Ambassador to France Mohamad Oemar.
Other attendees comprised Deputy Chairman of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) Sugiono, Member of DPR RI Budisatrio Djiwandono, Indonesian businessman Whisnu Wardhana, and Rosan P. Roeslani.
According to Sumantha, the meeting was expected to strengthen economic cooperation and contribute positively to the development of both nations.
"Both parties agreed to continue the dialogue and cooperation to realize a more advanced and prosperous shared vision," he remarked.
On his social media account, Minister Thohir mentioned that Minister Prabowo, as the elected presidential candidate, conveyed his keenness to intensify economic cooperation between Indonesia and France.
Upon his arrival in Paris on July 24, Prabowo also met with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace.
Indonesia and France have established diplomatic relations since September 1950. Under Prabowo's leadership as Minister of Defense, Indonesia has purchased defense equipment from France, including fighter jets, submarines, and radar.
Indonesia officially purchased 42 Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation in early 2024 after activating the purchase contract in stages in September 2022 and August 2023.
The first Rafale unit ordered by Indonesia is scheduled to arrive in 2026.
Indonesia also purchased 13 ground control interception (GCI) radars from Thales, which partnered with PT Len Indonesia. The Ministry of Defense also announced the purchase of two Scorpene Evolved submarines from the French Naval Group in April 2024.
