Indonesia and Egypt have agreed to expand bilateral cooperation across several sectors, including defence, trade, investment, maritime affairs and visa arrangements, following talks between their presidents in Jakarta.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi witnessed the exchange of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and bilateral agreements at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Sunday, 11 October 2026.
The meeting marked a further step in strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries. According to Prabowo, discussions lasting nearly three and a half hours produced a series of agreements intended to deliver practical benefits for both nations.
The announced areas of cooperation include maritime affairs and fisheries, statistics, investment, defence industry, trade and economic relations, alongside an action plan for the strategic partnership between Indonesia and Egypt.
Four Key Agreements Announced
The meeting resulted in four announced MoUs covering diplomatic cooperation, visa arrangements, statistics, and maritime affairs and fisheries.
The agreements include:
- Strategic partnership: An MoU between the Indonesian and Egyptian foreign ministries establishing an action plan for their strategic partnership.
- Visa exemption: An agreement on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, service and special passports.
- Statistics: An MoU to strengthen cooperation in statistics.
- Maritime affairs and fisheries: An agreement between Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries and the Egyptian government.
The visa exemption agreement is particularly relevant to official travel between the two countries. However, the announcement specifies diplomatic, service and special passport holders. It does not establish a general visa-free arrangement for ordinary Indonesian or Egyptian passport holders.
Travellers should therefore check the applicable entry requirements before making travel arrangements.
Indonesia and Egypt Target Stronger Economic Relations
Economic cooperation was a central theme of the meeting. Both presidents highlighted the potential to expand trade and business ties, reflecting the economic opportunities available to the two countries.
El-Sisi said both governments had agreed to give particular attention to economic and business cooperation. He also outlined a shared ambition to increase bilateral trade to US$5 billion by 2030.
Prabowo described the discussions as productive and emphasised the importance of turning the agreements into concrete cooperation that benefits both populations.
The agreements also cover investment and defence industry cooperation, broadening the relationship beyond traditional diplomatic engagement.
A Broader Partnership for the Future
The agreements reflect both governments’ intention to deepen cooperation across diplomatic, economic and sector-specific priorities. Whether the announced initiatives translate into increased trade, investment and mobility will depend on their implementation and the development of practical arrangements between the two countries.
For now, the meeting establishes a framework for closer cooperation, with economic relations and official travel among the areas receiving renewed attention.
More News on Immigration and Business Setup in Indonesia
Lets Move Indonesia is a visa and business consultancy established in 2016, supporting expatriates, foreign investors and businesses navigating Indonesia’s regulatory landscape. From visa applications and immigration assistance to company establishment, business licensing and tax-related consultation through LMI Consultancy, the team provides practical guidance for living and doing business in Indonesia.
Stay informed about the latest immigration regulations, visa requirements and business setup developments.
