Home Blog How BRICS Membership Can Supercharge Investments in Indonesia Business Licenses | Business Setup | Indonesia How BRICS Membership Can Supercharge Investments in Indonesia InCorp Editorial Team 4 February 2025 6 minutes reading time Table of Contents What is the Main Aim of BRICS Indonesia? What Are the Benefits of Joining BRICS for Indonesia? Indonesia's Trade Relations with BRICS Countries How Does BRICS Support Indonesia's Economy? Challenges for Investors as Indonesia Joins BRICS Take Advantage of Indonesia's BRICS Membership with InCorp In a world where global economic power is shifting, emerging markets play a more significant role in shaping financial and trade policies. One important group making changes is BRICS. This group includes major developing countries and offers an alternative to financial institutions led by Western countries. Indonesia has decided to join BRICS, a group of influential emerging markets. This choice marks a big change in its economy and global position. This move is of immense strategic importance to Indonesia’s future. What is the Main Aim of BRICS Indonesia? Indonesia officially became a member of BRICS in January 2025, marking a significant milestone in its global economic journey. With this move, BRICS Indonesia strengthens the bloc’s presence in Southeast Asia, adding the region’s largest economy and most populous nation. BRICS was founded in 2009 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China. South Africa joined in 2010, and in 2024, the group expanded further to include: Egypt Iran Ethiopia United Arab Emirates With its growing membership, BRICS is not just a counterweight to the G7, but a potential game-changer in global economic governance, aiming to reshape the existing structures. What Are the Benefits of Joining BRICS for Indonesia? Indonesia’s decision to join BRICS is a strategic move that unlocks new economic, trade, and diplomatic opportunities. Indonesia stands to gain significantly from this membership, strengthening its financial position, trade partnerships, and geopolitical influence. Strengthening Economic Partnerships President Prabowo’s administration recognizes that sustained economic growth requires diversified trade partnerships and increased foreign investment. BRICS provides access to markets in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, aligning with Indonesia’s strategy to expand non-traditional trade relationships. Infrastructure and Financing Opportunities Massive infrastructure investment is critical to Indonesia’s growth targets. BRICS opens avenues for low-cost financing through the New Development Bank (NDB), a financial institution established by BRICS member countries to fund infrastructure and sustainable development projects. This funding supports key projects in transportation, energy, and digital connectivity, significantly boosting Indonesia’s development. Advocating for the Global South BRICS serves as a platform for championing the interests of developing nations. By collaborating with other emerging economies, Jakarta aims to influence global policies that promote: Sustainable growth Fairtrade practices Greater access to technology Attracting Investment With BRICS representing nearly a third of global GDP, Indonesia’s membership enhances its appeal as an investment destination. The country can leverage BRICS partnerships to stimulate growth in key sectors such as: Energy: Renewable energy and oil projects Manufacturing: Expanding industrial production Technology: Advancements in digital and AI industries Indonesia’s Trade Relations with BRICS Countries In 2024, Indonesia’s trade with BRICS nations reached approximately $150 billion, highlighting the bloc’s importance as a key trading partner. Expanding this trade is crucial for Indonesia to achieve its 8% GDP growth target. Key Exports Indonesia’s primary exports to BRICS countries include: Palm Oil: A major commodity for markets like India and China Coal and Natural Gas: Supporting energy security in BRICS economies Rubber: Essential for industrial and automotive applications Key Imports Indonesia relies on BRICS for: Machinery and Electronics: To support industrialization and manufacturing Chemicals: Essential for agriculture and industrial growth READ MORE:A Complete List of Indonesia’s Active International Free Trade Agreements Understanding Danantara: Indonesia’s First National Investment Management Body New Strategies for Accelerating Export Growth in Indonesia How Does BRICS Support Indonesia’s Economy? Indonesia’s economic growth strategy depends on infrastructure expansion, technological progress, and trade diversification. As the country targets 8% GDP growth, BRICS membership provides crucial support in these areas. Infrastructure Development Indonesia invests heavily in roads, ports, and railways, but these projects require massive funding. BRICS membership grants access to low-cost financing from the New Development Bank (NDB), reducing dependence on Western lenders. Additionally, China’s expertise in infrastructure strengthens Indonesia’s ability to complete significant projects efficiently. Technology Transfer and Industrial Growth Joining BRICS enhances Indonesia’s access to advanced technologies in renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and digitalization. Collaboration with countries like China, Russia, and India supports industrial modernization, improving productivity and competitiveness. Trade Diversification Indonesia’s economy has traditionally relied on U.S. and EU markets, making it vulnerable to global fluctuations. BRICS membership expands trade opportunities with Brazil, South Africa, and the UAE, ensuring a more resilient and diverse economy. Challenges for Investors as Indonesia Joins BRICS While BRICS presents exciting opportunities for investors, it also comes with risks that businesses must carefully assess before committing capital. Understanding these challenges is essential for making investment decisions. Market Competition and Trade Barriers Indonesia’s integration into BRICS opens access to new markets, but investors should be aware of intensified competition from China and India in key sectors like manufacturing, energy, and technology. Additionally, trade agreements within BRICS are still evolving, meaning businesses may face tariff uncertainties and regulatory differences when expanding operations. Geopolitical Considerations and Policy Stability Indonesia’s non-aligned foreign policy must balance relations between BRICS, the U.S., and the EU. Shifts in global politics could impact investment regulations, trade policies, and foreign direct investment (FDI) incentives. Investors should closely monitor Indonesia’s trade policies to mitigate potential risks. Regulatory and Financial Risks While BRICS’ New Development Bank (NDB) offers alternative financing, investors must evaluate how monetary policies and financial regulations within BRICS impact currency stability, interest rates, and capital flows. Companies investing in infrastructure, energy, and digital industries should assess funding accessibility and risk exposure. China’s Influence on BRICS Indonesia China’s dominance in BRICS raises concerns about market dependency and economic influence. For long-term growth in Indonesia, investors must ensure diversified partnerships and not rely solely on China-backed projects. Businesses looking to invest in BRICS Indonesia have vast opportunities due to growing trade, infrastructure development, and financing alternatives. However, market competition, geopolitical shifts, and regulatory risks require careful planning. Investors should conduct thorough risk assessments and establish diversified investment strategies to maximize success in Indonesia’s evolving economic landscape. Guide to Doing Business in Jakarta Mailchimp Free eBook Indonesia Business Insight Updates Full NameEmail I have read InCorp's Privacy Policy and agree to InCorp using my information provided to contact me about related content, and services.*Subscribe Take Advantage of Indonesia’s BRICS Membership with InCorp With access to BRICS financing and expanded trade networks, businesses can position themselves for long-term success. Establishing the appropriate business structure and ensuring legal compliance is essential for companies looking to expand into Indonesia. InCorp Indonesia (an Ascentium Company) can assist you with this process. Company Registration: Register your business in Indonesia hassle-free. Business License: Obtain the necessary business licenses to operate legally and fully utilize Indonesia’s BRICS membership. Complete the form below to capitalize on Indonesia’s growing role in BRICS and establish a strong foothold in this expanding market. Read Full Bio Verified by Daris Salam COO Indonesia at InCorp Indonesia With more than 10 years of expertise in accounting and finance, Daris Salam dedicates his knowledge to consistently improving the performance of InCorp Indonesia and maintaining clients and partnerships. Frequently Asked Questions Does a PMA company in Indonesia have to meet certain criteria before it can distribute dividends? Dividends can be distributed from company net profits after allocating reserves, depending on a positive profit balance. Approval from the general meeting of shareholders is necessary. Interim dividends may be distributed if specific requirements are met. Is having audited accounts mandatory? Audited financial statements are required for: Entities gathering funds from the public (e.g., banks, insurance companies) Entities issuing debt instruments Publicly listed companies State-owned enterprises Companies with assets and/or turnover exceeding IDR 50 billion Entities mandated by legislation How is the process of liquidating a PMA company in Indonesia, and how long does it take? The procedures for (voluntarily) liquidation typically involve the following steps: Conduct a general shareholder meeting to approve the liquidation and the liquidator’s nomination Notify the Ministry of Law and Human Rights as well as the creditors of the liquidation and the distribution plan for the assets by newspaper notice All business licenses and tax numbers should be canceled or revoked; the tax office will conduct a tax audit to revoke the tax number Make sure creditors are paid and that any liquidation funds are distributed to shareholders (if any) Conduct a general meeting of shareholders to approve the liquidator’s discharge and acquittal Notify the Ministry of Law and Human Rights of the liquidation’s outcome. After receiving the notification, the Ministry of Law and Human Rights will deregister the company’s status as a legal entity and remove its name from the Company Registry Release the liquidation’s outcome in a newspaper Completing the liquidation process can take around two years. Can a PMA company hire expats in Indonesia? Yes, PMA companies in Indonesia can hire expatriates, but certain positions are restricted by the Ministry of Manpower. Expatriates need both working and stay permits, and employers must employ Indonesian counterparts for each expatriate employee, typically at a ratio of at least one Indonesian counterpart per expatriate.