FOREIGN TRADE: ALL AGREEMENTS SIGNED DURING PRESIDENT MACRON’S TOUR TO SOUTHEAST ASIA
From May 26 to 30, President Emmanuel Macron toured Southeast Asia, passing through Vietnam, Indonesia and Singapore, accompanied by a large delegation of French companies. This visit made it possible to consolidate strategic relations in the Indo-Pacific region and to secure numerous trade agreements.
Vietnam: 9 billion euros of agreements signed
During the Vietnamese stage (May 26-27), several sectors were covered:
• Aeronautics: Vietjet Air ordered 20 Airbus A330-900s, adding to the 20 previously acquired.
• Space: Airbus, CNES and the Vietnamese Academy of Sciences (VAST) have signed a letter of intent for the development of new satellites.
• Seaport: CMA CGM is investing $600 million in a deep-water terminal in Hai Phong.
• Urban mobility: agreements were signed on high-speed rail and the Hanoi metro, involving Dassault Systèmes and Vietnamese universities.
• Telecommunications: two memoranda of understanding were signed, one between Thales and OSB for space innovation, the other between Business France and VNPT for cooperation in 5G and digitalization.
• Health: Sanofi is committed to helping Vietnam develop a local vaccine industry. Servier partners with Ampharco for the local production of three major drugs.
• Defense: discussions took place around cybersecurity and the joint development of land defense systems, in partnership with Viettel.
• Energy: AFD and EVN are collaborating on clean energy projects, including a pumped storage power plant. HDF Energy has signed protocols for green hydrogen projects.
Indonesia: 17 billion euros of agreements envisaged
The Indonesian stage focused on the defense sector, already very dynamic between the two countries. President Macron was received by his counterpart Prabowo Subianto, former Minister of Defense, in favor of close cooperation with France, particularly on strategic autonomy.
• Military equipment: Indonesia has already ordered 42 Rafales, Thales radars, Scorpène submarines and Caesar cannons.
• New commitments: a letter of intent was signed for future additional purchases (Rafale, frigates, cannons). Official signatures are expected by July 14.
Outside of defense:
• Nickel: Eramet signed an agreement with the Indonesian authorities to develop a complete nickel production sector.
• Renewable energies: Total Énergies and RGE, via their joint venture Singa Renewables, are investing in a solar power plant with batteries in Riau.
• Hydrogen: HDF is continuing its projects with the government to decarbonize maritime transport.
• Agri-food: Lesaffre continues its expansion after opening a yeast factory.
