Reading the Argentina-Indonesia Relationship: This is the Realization of Investment from Lionel Messi's Home Country

The football match between the Argentinian and Indonesian national teams has been confirmed. Lionel Messi and his team are scheduled to play a FIFA Matchday game in Jakarta on June 19, 2023.

This friendly match is part of an Asian tour. Besides Indonesia, the Argentinian team will also play against the Australian national team.

"The national team led by Lionel Scaloni will play in June in China and Indonesia. The friendly matches have been confirmed. Asian Tour 2023. June 15th: Argentina vs Australia, and June 19th: Argentina vs Indonesia in Jakarta," wrote the AFA, as reported by *Detik.com* on Monday, May 22, 2023.

This news was enthusiastically received by netizens, as it had previously only been a rumor. Aside from this event, what is the actual relationship between Argentina and Indonesia?

Argentina has maintained diplomatic relations with Indonesia since June 30, 1956. Cooperation spans various sectors, including trade, agriculture, and investment.

Vice President Jusuf Kalla even stated that Argentina is Indonesia's second-largest trading partner in South America. He made this statement when Argentinian Vice President Gabriella Michetti visited the Vice President's Palace in Jakarta on May 7, 2019.

Data from the Indonesian Investment Ministry/Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), processed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, shows that Argentinian Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) realization over the past five years has fluctuated.

In 2019, 13 projects were undertaken with investments totaling US$300,400 or Rp4.47 billion (using an exchange rate of Rp14,900 per US$). However, the following year, this dropped drastically to US$500 or Rp7.45 million with 8 projects.

A year later, investment increased to US$149,200 or Rp2.22 billion with 11 projects. Then in 2022, it rose significantly to US$380,100 or Rp5.66 billion, with 19 projects.

Here's the realization of Argentinian investment in Indonesia from 2018-2022:

* 2018: US$137,400; 10 projects
* 2019: US$300,400; 13 projects
* 2020: US$0,500; 10 projects
* 2021: US$149,200; 11 projects
* 2022: US$380,100; 19 projects

(See also: Investment Realization in Indonesia Reaches Rp328 Trillion in Q1 2023)