Indonesia Welcomes BRICS Membership as Global Economic Certainty Unravels
Jakarta – Indonesia’s Economic National Council (DEN) chairman, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, has expressed enthusiasm about the country’s recent inclusion in the BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), stating that this move will expand Indonesia’s trade market amid worldwide economic uncertainty.
"We stand to gain from BRICS, our market will expand, our market will indeed grow," Luhut stated during a press conference at his Jakarta office on Thursday, January 9, 2025.
Indonesia, under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto, is less concerned about potential retaliation from Western countries or the United States. Luhut believes that Indonesia, being a vast sovereign nation, should not align itself solely with one country. He argues that Indonesia should strive for independence and freedom from external influence.
With its expanding market, Indonesia can potentially mitigate economic challenges faced by countries like China and the United States. Luhut cautioned about potential energy crises in Europe and economic hurdles in China and the United States due to trade uncertainties under the Trump administration’s influence.
The DEN will provide President Prabowo with recommendations and evaluations to effectively implement priority economic policies. Luhut stated, "We must carefully consider these combined challenges. It is DEN’s responsibility to provide input to the President during the decision-making process."
Earlier this week, Brazil announced Indonesia’s full membership in the BRICS group. According to the Brazilian Foreign Ministry, Indonesia, along with other BRICS countries, aims to reform global governance institutions and promote cooperation among Southern countries.
Indonesia’s membership expansion comes at a critical juncture for the BRICS group, which was established in 2009. Besides Indonesia, other new members joining the BRICS+ bloc include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
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