Inp.polri.go.id - Banjarmasin. Indonesia should shift its investment focus toward Islamic countries in Asia and Africa, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Anis Matta said during a meeting with Islamic education institutions in Banjarmasin on Tuesday night (9/12/2025). 

“The Islamic world, with a population of two billion, represents the investment potential Indonesia needs today, particularly the Gulf states,” he said, as quoted by antaranews.com.

Deputy Minister Anis emphasized that Islamic countries remain an under-explored partner despite their significant economic weight. Indonesia’s annual trade volume with the Islamic world currently reaches USD 62 billion, placing it behind China and ASEAN but well above Europe and the United States.

He noted that Indonesia’s trade with Europe amounts to roughly USD 35 billion per year, and with the United States around USD 38 billion, far below its trade with Islamic countries. The minister added that Singapore alone exceeds Europe’s trade volume with Indonesia.

Anis said the Foreign Ministry is preparing an investment portfolio to strengthen long-term economic integration with the Islamic world.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)