Merdian Global Business Briefing with H.E. Rosan Roeslani, Ambassador of Indonesia to the U.S.

Having hosted the second negotiating round of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) in Bali this past March, Indonesia is engaging in economic collaboration with the United States with unprecedented speed and scale. On May 3, 2023, the Meridian Corporate Council partnered with Cargill to host a Global Business Briefing with Ambassador Rosan Roeslani. The discussion, moderated by Dan Sheehan of Bank of America, covered key areas of collaboration and partnership between the U.S. and Indonesia, particularly in the economic realm.

Rosan Roeslani was sworn in as the 21st Appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the United States of America on October 25th, 2021, by His Excellency Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia. Prior to this assignment, Ambassador Roeslani has held several leadership positions in Indonesian business associations and communities. Among others, he served as the Chairman of Indonesia Chamber of Commerce and Industry/KADIN, during which the Government of Belgium awarded him the Commander in the Order of Leopold of Belgium. He has been involved in a number of strategic government initiatives as a key private sector representative including as Chief of Indonesian Omnibus Law on Job Creation Task Force (2019-2021) and Chairman of National Board of Arbitration’s (BANI) Advisory Board (2019-2021).

Indonesia has emerged as key engine of economic growth in Asia due to robust consumption, a peaceful and stable investment climate and a rapidly-growing middle class. U.S.-Indonesia economic relations have grown apace, with bilateral trade reaching $44 billion in 2022 - representing a 22% increase from the previous year. While there are challenges, such as job creation and infrastructure, the Indonesian government has tackled these head-on through an Omnibus Job Creation Act (2020) and public-private partnerships. Moreover, immense opportunities are emerging in the critical minerals sector, in which Indonesia is the world’s largest nickel producer for Electric Vehicle batteries, as well as in sectors such as clean energy, tourism, and banking. Yet with Chinese investment providing a responsive and powerful alternative to engagement with America, the U.S. private sector must expand its investment presence and help build value-adding capabilities in the Indonesian economy to fully realize a shared, prosperous future.