Korean firms flag hurdles in bidding for Indonesian hydropower projects
Wednesday, January 28 2026 - 07:46 AM WIB
By Romel S. Gurky
South Korea has raised concerns over difficulties faced by its companies when bidding for hydropower plant projects in Indonesia, as part of broader discussions to strengthen bilateral investment and trade cooperation between the two countries.
The issue was highlighted during a meeting on January 23 between South Korea’s Deputy Minister for Trade at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR), Park Jung-sung, and Indonesia’s Deputy Minister for Trade and Digital Economy at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Ali Murtopo Simbolon, held in Seoul.
Park said Korean companies continue to face challenges in participating in Indonesian hydropower project tenders, alongside other outstanding issues such as the need for reforms to Indonesia’s national standards (SNI) certification system. He urged progress on resolving these matters, which were previously raised during ministerial-level talks on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju in October 2025.
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Simbolon said Indonesia would coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies to help advance work on the issues raised by Korean companies.
The two sides noted that more than 2,300 Korean companies currently operate in Indonesia across sectors including electric vehicles, batteries, steel and chemicals, contributing to local economic activity. They agreed to work toward creating a more investor-friendly environment and further expanding bilateral investment ties.
Park also conveyed requests from Korean firms undertaking investment projects in Indonesia and asked for continued attention and support from the Indonesian government.
In addition, Park proposed resuming the Korea–Indonesia Economic Cooperation Committee, a regular bilateral consultative platform co-chaired by Korea’s MOTIR minister and Indonesia’s coordinating minister for economic affairs. Both sides agreed to maintain close communication with a view to holding the committee’s third meeting at an early date.
Editing by Alexander Ginting