Over the years, Indonesia-Mexico bilateral relations have been going well despite the ups and downs, partly due to the different paradigms of the heads of state and program priorities, as well as the domestic conditions of each country. Over the years, Indonesia-Mexico bilateral relations have been going well despite the ups and downs, partly due to the different paradigms of the heads of state and program priorities, as well as the domestic conditions of each country.
Indonesia has a clear stance and views Mexico as a strategic partner and bridge country in the Latin American region. Arts and cultural exchanges are also a fundamental part of bilateral relations, with frequent cultural events, art exhibitions and performances to enrich people's understanding of cultural diversity. In the economic sphere, the growth of bilateral trade reflects a commitment to expanding economic cooperation, with foreign direct investment being a key factor in strengthening economic ties between the two countries.
As Mexican ambassador Alvarez said at the 70th anniversary celebration, "The relationship between the two countries is built on mutual respect, solidarity, cooperation, and friendship". Bilateral relations continue to be strengthened through various initiatives, including the celebration of 70 years of diplomatic relations, guest lecture events, and B2B cooperation.
Business-to-Business (B2B) is a cooperative relationship that focuses more on long-term business relationships, the cooperation is an effort by the Indonesian government to open export opportunities for Indonesia's superior commodities that can help restore its national economy now and in the future. As a pilot project of the trade-sharing cooperation with Mexico, Indonesia will export urea fertilizer, coal fertilizer, coconut shell charcoal, and various spices, namely cinnamon, nutmeg, and pepper. Meanwhile, Mexico offers sesame seeds and vegetable oils in the form of canola and sunflower seeds as well as manufactured products.
When viewed from the Interdependence Theory, establishing Business-to-Business (B2B) trade cooperation shows the interdependence between the companies and countries involved. This reflects the application of interdependence theory in the B2B trade cooperation relationship between Indonesia and Mexico.
Both countries need each other's products and services. Indonesia, for example, exports agricultural products, such as coffee, tea and rubber which become raw materials for Mexican industries. On the other hand, Mexico exports manufactured products, such as automobiles and electronics, which are a necessity for Indonesian industries.
Trade between Mexico and Indonesia has increased significantly from USD 105 million in 2019 to USD 1.605 billion in 2022, the highest revenue value registered in the history of bilateral relations between the two countries.
Indonesia's exports to Mexico were recorded at USD 381 million and Indonesia's imports from Mexico amounted to USD 96 million, resulting in a surplus for Indonesia of USD 285 million. Meanwhile, in 2020, the total non-oil and gas trade between the two countries was recorded at USD 1.13 billion. Indonesia exports the most electrical machinery and equipment products with an export value from Mexico in 2020 of USD 94M, mineral oil and products from distillation with an export value of USD 74.9M.
This cooperation successfully optimizes the use of natural resources from both countries and reflects efficiency in allocation for maximum results.
So, the answer to why Indonesia establishes b2b cooperation with Mexico in our opinion is because Indonesia sees Mexico as a bridge to reach a wider Latin American market, maintain and strengthen the long-standing relationship between the two countries and of course because this cooperation is a long-term business that will produce great value for both countries as mentioned above. business-to-business (B2B) trade reciprocal cooperation between Indonesia and Mexico, creating opportunities for greater trade cooperation in the future, the pace of product development will grow and vary.
It is a classic problem that countries from two different continents have challenges caused by conventional issues such as geographical distance, language barriers, lack of awareness, local interests of both countries, lack of infrastructure, and relatively low population to travel. Although we didn't specifically mention it, this collaboration certainly had many drawbacks and challenges. My other group mates will surely discuss that, so instead of going into detail about the shortcomings let me write down the suggestions I found from some of the journals I have read.
The Indonesian government has not effectively identified or utilized Indonesia's competitive advantages and the types of products that Mexicans want to buy, we must strengthen marketing and market intelligence and promote through its socio-cultural programs while marketing internationally recognized brands of Indonesian products. In order to facilitate more intense business cooperation and people-to-people contact, Indonesia and Mexico must open direct transportation links. Indonesia-Mexico made a good start in 2013 with a codeshare agreement between Garuda Indonesia and Aeromexico, but it is still not enough. For the Sino-Mexican relationship, Aeromexico's direct flights between Tijuana and Shanghai opened in April 2008 (Dibble, 2010). This direct transportation network has facilitated and eased the flow of people between the two countries.
As suggested by Pramudyo (2004), the two countries need to establish a roadmap to build maritime cooperation, not only in the transportation and tourism sectors, but also to utilize existing potential, for example in ship communications and aquaculture. Pramudyo stated that, in this century, the maritime sector is an important resource for both countries and can be utilized by society as a source of food and medicine. Indonesia can also reinvigorate its sports cooperation by sharing best practices in low profile cooperation such as natural disaster management and human trafficking issues. For sports cooperation, in 1964, former prominent Indonesian badminton player Mr. Tan Joe Hok became a badminton coach at Deportivo Chapultepec, Mexico City (Pramudyo, 2004). Mexicans love sports; thus, there is a great opportunity to promote Indonesian sports such as badminton, pencak silat, and sepak takraw by sending coaches to Mexico.
With a very clear agenda, Mexico can also seek to become an integral player in the Asia Pacific region, for example by participating in political and security dialog with ASEAN. Mexico's current president expects Mexico to be able to play an increasing role in the world as a middle power. But to achieve this goal, for example in the Asia Pacific region and ASEAN, Mexico must have a very clear agenda and needs to have a strong political will accompanied by stronger efforts.
 Both sides recognize the potential that both countries can gain from strengthening bilateral relations. At present, both are secular and democratic countries with open and fast-growing economies and complemented by good and friendly relations; then, to achieve more dynamic, progressive, and mutually friendly relations between the two countries, and ultimately to upgrade diplomatic relations to a Comprehensive Partnership seems to be a real goal to be achieved.
Nama saya Maf’Ulillahi Zakinah, dari Prodi Hubungan Internasional Universitas Teknologi Yogyakarta Akreditasi "B" Angkatan 2022. Sejak duduk di  sekolah dasar,saya menyukai Maudy Ayunda, Oxford dan segala pencapaian akademisnya. Sejak saat itu saya tertarik dengan dunia luar mulai dari culture budaya, kuliner, cara berpakaian dan segala yang berbeda dari apa yang biasa saya lihat di Indonesia. Pada awalnya saya hendak mengambil jurusan antropologi, namun tekad untuk ke luar negri suatu hari nanti menuntun saya mengambil prodi Hubungan Internasional yang nampaknya lebih dekat untuk  membawa saya bergabung dalam lembaga dan organisasi internasional seperti PBB atau UNICEF.
 Apabila harus memilih dosen atau mata kuliah favorit, sejujurnya saya tidak tahu. Semuanya punya kelebihan dan kekurangan, saya tertarik pada semua mata kuliah asalkan tidak berhubungan dengan angka, saya tertarik untuk menemukan korelasi dan keterikatan antar mata kuliah sebagaimana saya senang mengamati prilaku manusia dan alasan dibaliknya. Namun apabila dipaksa memilih, saya akan memilih Bapak Dr. Mustaqim Pabbajah,M.A. selaku dosen agama saat semester 1. Beliau mampu menjelaskan agama diselingi filosofi namun tetap relevan dengan zaman sekarang, selalu datang tepat waktu dan sering menceritakan pengalaman beliau yang menarik dan memotivasi meskipun terkesan sombong di mata beberapa mahasiswa lain.
Saya belum memutuskan akan mengambil konsentrasi publik/bisnis karna analisis yang saya lakukan terhadap dua pilihan tersebut belum cukup membantu saya untuk menentukan pilihan, sebab meski tahu hidup seperti apa yang ingin saya jalani di masa depan saya tetap tidak punya cita-cita pasti.
