H.E. Suryo Pratomo, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Singapore, shares insights on Indonesia’s latest developments, investment opportunities, and bilateral relations with Singapore
SINGAPORE, 27 February 2025 – In an exclusive interview with Sun Media, H.E. Suryo Pratomo, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Singapore, discusses the country’s latest developments, investment opportunities, and strong diplomatic ties with Singapore. He highlights Indonesia’s economic resilience, key sectors for growth, and the importance of regional cooperation in fostering long-term prosperity.
Q: With the new government in place, how is the progress in Indonesia?
The new government has already passed the first 100 days. After this period, the President has a clearer understanding of what Indonesia needs. Initially, the President had his own agenda, but now he is focused on deeper implementation.
The first priority is improving the health and well-being of Indonesian children, which is why the government has introduced programs like free healthcare for children. The second priority is strengthening food security. The government has started opening 1 million hectares of land in Papua for rice farming.The third priority is industrialization. We aim to better utilize our natural resources for economic growth. The fourth priority is education, as the government seeks to improve the quality of learning. Lastly, the President is committed to strengthening Indonesia’s sovereignty and territorial protection, ensuring a peaceful and secure environment for the people.
Q: These plans seem beneficial for the people of Indonesia, but they also require significant expenditure. Do you see new opportunities for international investors?
Yes, investment is crucial. The President has set a target for Indonesia’s economic growth to reach 8% in the next two to three years. Over the last decade, our economic growth has been around 5%. To achieve this, both domestic and foreign investments are essential. The government is creating a more business-friendly environment and has introduced incentives to attract foreign investors. Among our international investors, Singapore has been the most significant over the last 10 years. In 2023, Singapore’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Indonesia exceeded USD 20 billion across more than 30,000 projects.
Because of this strong partnership, Indonesia is looking to further strengthen collaboration with Singapore. This year, we also have the Leaders’ Retreat, where Singapore will be the host. The Singaporean government has proposed a date for the meeting, and we are awaiting confirmation from the Indonesian President.
Q: How have people-to-people (P2P) ties evolved during your term, and how is the Indonesian Embassy working to enhance engagement between the two countries?
P2P ties are very important. Every year, Indonesia is the largest source of visitors to Singapore, with 2.2 million Indonesians traveling here. Similarly, around 1.6 million Singaporeans visit Indonesia annually.
The Embassy actively collaborates with Singaporean partners and participates in various cultural events. For example, on Chingay Parade, we had over 40 dancers from Jember perform in Singapore. We are also involved in food festivals, such as the one at PARKROYAL Marina Bay and an event at Grand Mercure for Ramadan.
(Image source: KBRI Singapore)
Q: You mentioned investment from Singapore is substantial. However, Indonesia also produces many goods and services. Are there any initiatives to increase Indonesian exports to Singapore? What is the current trade balance?
Singapore imports 98% of its food supply, making it highly dependent on foreign sources. This presents a great opportunity for Indonesia and other ASEAN countries to supply more food products. Importing from the ASEAN region is also more cost-effective for Singapore compared to sourcing from distant regions.
Q: Batam, Bintan, and Karimun have always been a trusted region in Singapore-Indonesia relations. How do you see this layout in the current government? Will it remain a priority, or are there other areas of focus?
Yes, we have a working group with Singapore, and we are continuously discussing this matter. Many Singaporean ministers actively promote Batam, Bintan, and Karimun because, for Singapore, these areas are crucial. We have an agreement to develop them together. Singapore needs more space, and Indonesia can provide that. The proximity between Batam and Singapore—only 17 kilometers—is an advantage. This is similar to how Singapore is strengthening ties with Johor. Hopefully, we can ignite further collaboration between Singapore, Jakarta, and Indonesia as a whole. If we can successfully cooperate, it will bring benefits to all three regions and their people.
Q: Every year, around 2.5 million Indonesian visitors come to Singapore. Based on your observations, what are their main reasons for visiting? Is it tourism, medical treatment, or education? What trends have you noticed?
It’s a mix of reasons. Some come for medical treatment, some to visit their children studying here, and others for vacations. That’s why we see high demand for flights between Jakarta and Singapore. In fact, the most expensive flight route in terms of price per kilometer is Jakarta-Singapore due to the overwhelming demand.
Q: There is an ongoing trade war and economic uncertainty. How can we mitigate its impact on ordinary people?
Trade wars ultimately hurt consumers, who bear the burden of high prices. This is why we have international institutions like the World Trade Organization (WTO)—to resolve trade disputes diplomatically instead of escalating conflicts.
Q: We are entering a month where women are celebrated more than usual. What would you say is the current state of Indonesian women? How are they doing back home? Are there enough opportunities for them?
Indonesia has been working toward gender equality for centuries. Women in Indonesia have long fought for the same opportunities as men. Indonesia has provided opportunities for women to become leaders. Our Speaker of Parliament is a woman, and we have several female ministers. Women in Indonesia hold high-ranking positions, demonstrating their capabilities.
At the same time, women still play a dual role. They have opportunities to reach high positions, but they also remain pillars of their families. Women are responsible for taking care of their households while contributing to the workforce. That is why being a woman in Indonesia is both a challenge and a privilege.
Q: Your President recently visited India for Republic Day. Many agreements were signed, and significant developments took place. Can you share any updates on Indonesia-India relations?
India was the first country to recognize Indonesia’s independence. Both nations were also among the first to establish the Non-Aligned Movement. Indonesia sees India as a key partner. India is set to become the world’s third-largest economy, making it an important player alongside China and the United States. That is why President Prabowo Subianto attended the Republic Day celebrations in India.
During his visit, he brought 400 Indonesian soldiers who participated in India’s Republic Day parade. This demonstrates Indonesia’s commitment to strengthening our long-standing relationship with India and bringing both nations closer together.
Q: Singapore is celebrating its 60th year of independence. How would you describe the relationship between Indonesia and Singapore over the past six decades?
Indonesia and Singapore established diplomatic relations 58 years ago, and our partnership remains very strong. As Prime Minister Lawrence Wong mentioned, our new generation of leaders has inherited a solid foundation from previous administrations. The challenge now is to strengthen our collaboration further. This year is crucial for setting the direction of our future partnership. I believe the next 60 years will bring even closer ties between Indonesia and Singapore.
Indonesia is also preparing for its 80th year of independence. We still have a long journey ahead to achieve our goal of becoming a high-income country. Hopefully, when we celebrate 100 years of independence, we will have achieved our vision of becoming a fully developed nation.
