President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was elected as Indonesia's sixth President in 2004. He was re-elected for another five-year term during the Presidential elections on 8 July and was sworn-in on 20 October 2009.

GDP growth picked up from 5.5% in 2006 to 6.3% in 2007 and 2008. GDP growth in the first half 2009 was 4.2% and the Central Bank's revised forecast for 2009 is 3%-4% (down from 4%-5%). This still represents the highest forecast in ASEAN. The government is expecting GDP growth of 5% in 2010.

Trade relations between the UK and Indonesia are healthy. UK exports to Indonesia totalled almost  £ 391 million in 2008  (£ 289 million in 2007). Total exports for the first 7 months of 2009 were £ 181.6 million. According to official Indonesian Statistics, the UK is a leading investor in Indonesia with Foreign Direct Investment Planning Approvals worth US$ 119.9 million in January 2009.

Indonesia is one of UK Trade & Investment's seventeen High Growth Markets indicating the importance the UK Government attaches to this market.

What are the opportunities?
Opportunities for trade should be viewed as medium to long-term. UK Trade & Investment has identified four sectors that offer particularly good opportunities : Environment, Ports, Advanced Engineering and Power. Opportunities also exist in other sectors including Oil and Gas, Financial Services, ICT,  Retail, Healthcare, Agribusiness and Infrastructure.

Imports to the UK from Indonesia were worth £ 1,144 million in 2008. Indonesia's main exports to the UK include textile products, clothing & accessories (including shoes) and wood products. Total imports for the first 7 months of 2009 were £ 698.6 million.