Jakarta, 14 March 2025: ERIA welcomed a visit from the Swedish Embassy on 14 March 2025 at ERIA’s office in Jakarta. The Ambassador of Sweden to Indonesia, His Excellency Daniel Blockert, was accompanied by Angeliqa Lejonberg, Head of Economic Affairs and Public Diplomacy, and Natasha Kindangen, Political Officer. They engaged in a fruitful discussion with ERIA, represented by Dr Lili Yan Ing (Senior Economist), Dr Rashesh Shrestha (Economist), Wandira Larasati (Research Associate), and Catherin Nur Safitri (Research Assistant).

Considering the significant presence of Swedish businesses in Indonesia, the Swedish Embassy officials expressed their concerns regarding investment opportunities in Indonesia. The officials emphasised that streamlining business procedures could encourage greater investment expansion. ERIA concurred, noting that simplification of these business procedures and improvements in the ease of doing business in Indonesia would enhance Indonesia’s competitiveness in the region. A strategic reform in trade facilitation and investment was deemed essential for Indonesia to remain competitive with its neighbouring countries.

ERIA also proposed several potential areas of cooperation between Sweden and Indonesia, including railway investment, renewable energy, education, and capacity building for the government sector.

Both ERIA and the Swedish Embassy expressed optimism for further collaboration in the future.