From June 3 to 5, 2025, a high-level delegation from the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) concluded a three-day visit to Jakarta this week, coinciding with the 100-year anniversary celebrations of the German-Indonesian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (EKONID). The visit highlighted the continued commitment of both nations to strengthen economic ties, expand vocational education, and explore new avenues for bilateral cooperation.
Led by DIHK President Peter Adrian, the delegation included Dr. Volker Treier, Chief Executive of Foreign Trade and Member of the Executive Board of DIHK, and Dr. Gabriele Rose, International Economic Relations Initiative International Resources & Sustainability Special Representative Asia-Pacific DIHK. Over the course of the trip, the delegation engaged with Indonesian policymakers, business leaders, and education institutions through a series of structured visits and discussions.
A Packed and Productive Schedule
The delegation arrived in Jakarta on the evening of June 3 and was welcomed by the EKONID team at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. A briefing session was held later that evening at the Kempinski Hotel Jakarta to review the goals of the visit.
On the morning of June 4, the program officially began with a visit to the EKONID office, where Jan H. Rönnfeld, Executive Director of EKONID, and Oliver Döhne of Germany Trade and Invest (GTAI) provided a country briefing on economic developments and trade relations between Germany and Indonesia.
This was followed by a roundtable meeting and MoU signing between EKONID and the Indonesian Employers’ Association (APINDO) at APINDO headquarters. Shinta W. Kamdani, APINDO Chairwoman, and EKONID Chairman Prijono Sugiarto joined the session, which focused on policy advocacy, business networking, and sustainable investment.
At lunch, the delegation met with German Ambassador to Indonesia H.E. Ina Lepel and Thomas Graf, Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy in Jakarta, before returning to EKONID for a briefing on Indonesia’s natural resources sector from representatives of PowerCo, Thomas Eckardt and Michael Gruss.
Later in the afternoon, the DIHK delegation participated in a podcast recording at EKONID and met with Anindya Bakrie, Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN). This culminated in a press conference and MoU signing between KADIN and EKONID, focused on enhancing trade and investment, vocational training, and future-oriented policy collaboration.
The evening of June 4 concluded with EKONID’s Centennial Gala Dinner at the Kempinski Grand Ballroom. Over 400 business leaders, diplomats, and government officials attended the event, including senior figures from both countries’ chambers. The celebration also saw the announcement of multiple cooperation agreements, including an MoU between EKONID and PT Astra International Tbk.
The following morning, June 5, the delegation held a breakfast meeting with EKONID’s Supervisory Board, namely Prijono Sugiarto in hiChief Comr. of Astra International Tbk.; Rainer Ruppel, Managing Director of PT B. Braun Medical Indonesia & PT B. Braun Pharmaceutical Indonesia; Christofer Arisandy, President Director of BASF Indonesia; Alexander Grenz, Country Manager and President Director of PT Asuransi Allianz Life Indonesia; and Surya Fitri, President Director and CEO of PT Siemens Indonesia, offering practical insights into doing business in Indonesia.
Focus on Vocational Education
For the final leg of the visit, the delegation visited ASTRAtech, Astra’s Polytechnic in Cikarang, where Director of ASTRAtech Richardus Henri Paul and EKONID Executive Director Jan Rönnfeld signed a MoU focused on the expansion of German Dual Vocational Education and Training (GDVET) programs in Indonesia. The initiative aims to elevate ASTRAtech’s existing D3 Automotive Mechatronics program to DIHK “A” certification level and launch a future D4 program. Language training, industry placements, and certification pathways for employment in Germany are key components of the cooperation.
Speaking at the visit, Adrian said: “This is more than just a partnership—it is a shared belief in empowering young people with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities they need in today’s global economy.” Prijono Sugiarto added, “We hope to produce graduates who are not only skilled but also German-speaking and globally competitive.”
In addition, the delegation visited Kota Deltamas, an integrated industrial and residential development operated by PT Puradelta Lestari Tbk. The site visit included the Greenland International Industrial Center (GIIC) and provided a look into Indonesia’s industrial infrastructure expansion.
The delegation concluded the day at PT Astra Honda Motor (AHM) Plant Deltamas, where several graduates of the GDVET-aligned “Meisterprogramm” are now employed. The plant tour underscored the practical outcomes of German-Indonesian collaboration in vocational training and industrial excellence.
A Forward-Looking Partnership
Throughout the visit, Peter Adrian emphasized the potential of the EU-Indonesia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the opportunity to align skills development with global labor market demands. “Germany faces a skilled labor shortage. Indonesia has a young, ambitious workforce. Let’s make mobility and cooperation a strength for both sides,” he stated.
The delegation’s presence, combined with the momentum of EKONID’s centennial celebrations, reflects a renewed and future-oriented chapter in German-Indonesian economic relations—anchored in trust, shared goals, and concrete action.