JAKARTA - The Indonesian government has started targeting Belarus as a new partner to strengthen the heavy equipment sector, modern agriculture, to the mining industry. In the midst of global uncertainty, this step is also part of a strategy to expand markets and supply chains beyond traditional trading partners.
Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto visited a number of strategic industries in Belarus in Minsk, Thursday (14/5), ahead of the 8th RI-Belarus Joint Commission Meeting in the fields of trade, economy, and engineering.
The visit was also part of efforts to accelerate the implementation of the Indonesia-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement or Indonesia-EAEU FTA.
Airlangga visited three Belarusian industrial giants, namely Minsk Tractor Works (MTZ), MAZ or Minsk Automobile Plant, and BelAZ Holding Management Company. All three are known for producing tractors, commercial vehicles, to large-capacity mining dump trucks.
Belarus is no small player. Its manufacturing sector accounted for about 20.3 percent of the country's gross domestic product in 2024. The country also has a food self-sufficiency rate of about 96 percent thanks to aggressive agricultural mechanization.
At MTZ, Airlangga reviewed the development of tractors and agricultural machinery which were considered to be able to support Indonesia's food security and agricultural modernization programs, including food estates.
MTZ offers product adjustments according to Indonesia's needs, including training and technology transfer. Initial discussions have also been held with Kadin regarding the potential for cooperation in the heavy equipment industry.
Meanwhile, at MAZ, discussions focused on opportunities for the development of commercial vehicles, buses, and industrial vehicles, including local assembly options and the development of low-emission vehicles.
As for BelAZ, the talks are aimed at mining equipment, the development of a maintenance ecosystem, to opportunities for the supply chain of Indonesian natural rubber heavy vehicle tires.
"We see that Belarusian companies are experienced in producing various heavy equipment products that can strengthen the industrialization and mechanization of modern agriculture in Indonesia," said Airlangga, quoted in his official statement.
In the discussion, there was also discussion of the processing of cassava into ethanol and the use of nickel batteries to support the modernization of the agricultural and mining sectors.
Indonesia itself exports around 800 million tons of coal per year. This means that the need for efficient and sustainable mine dump trucks is becoming increasingly important.
The Belarusian government admitted that it has been difficult to get a detailed picture of Indonesia's heavy equipment needs. Therefore, the two countries encourage joint mapping of needs and regular consultation forums between the government and industry players.
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