SEAToday.com, Kedah - Indonesia is Southeast Asia's largest economy, and the forum serves as a major platform to attract foreign investments. It allows international investors to explore diverse sectors like infrastructure, digital economy, manufacturing, and energy.

Indonesia's growing middle class, vast natural resources, and strategic location make it an attractive market for investors. The investment relationship between Indonesia and Malaysia is a crucial element in the economic ties between the two ASEAN neighbours. Both countries are prominent players in the Southeast Asian economy, and their investment relationship reflects mutual benefits in various sectors.

The economic relationship between Indonesia and Malaysia has always been complementary. From 2019 to the first semester of 2024, Malaysia's investment realization in Indonesia reached USD 12.9 billion. Since 2022, Malaysia's investment trend in Indonesia saw a significant increase.

Malaysia has consistently ranked among the top sources of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Indonesia, in 2023 Malaysia ranked fifth among the countries with the most significant investments in Indonesia out of a total of 145 countries. In the last 5 years, the largest investment sectors are dominated by Chemical and Pharmacy Industry (USD 4 Billion); Transportation, Warehouse, and Telecommunication (USD 2.8 billion); Pulp and Printing Industry (USD 1.7 billion); Food Industry (USD 1.5 billion) and Food Crops, Plantation and Livestock (USD 1.0 billion).

Investment forums are crucial platforms for fostering economic growth, enhancing business opportunities, and driving international trade. The forum provides a stage for the government to highlight national projects and priority sectors, such as Indonesia’s ambitious infrastructure projects, including roads, airports, and the new capital city, Nusantara. This creates direct investment opportunities for foreign entities looking to participate in these key developments.

The primary goals of the Indonesia-Malaysia Business Forum include promoting investment by showcasing key sectors in Indonesia, such as technology, agriculture, infrastructure, and renewable energy; facilitating networking opportunities for Malaysian investors to engage with Indonesian entrepreneurs, government officials, and industry leaders; offering essential market insights, including details on regulations, business conditions, and trends; and strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between Indonesia and Malaysia through collaborative initiatives.

Both nations have already made significant strides in advancing their downstream industries. The Indonesia-Malaysia Business Forum serves as a platform to strengthen economic ties between Indonesia and Malaysia. It aims to showcase investment opportunities in Indonesia, foster partnerships, and facilitate networking between Indonesian businesses and Malaysian investors.