Meet President Jokowi, UAE Entrepreneurs And Investors Optimistic To Cooperate With Indonesia

JAKARTA - SOE Minister Erick Thohir said PEA investors and entrepreneurs are optimistic to cooperate in several cooperation projects between Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after having a dialogue with President Joko Widodo at the Emirates Palace Hotel, Abu Dhabi, Friday.

"Alhamdulillah, the President met with several investment companies from Abu Dhabi where they were very optimistic about working together on several projects that could be synergized between the two countries, namely the UAE, Abu Dhabi, and of course Indonesia," said Erick after the meeting, launching a written statement. Presidential Secretariat July 1st.

The Minister of SOEs explained that there were at least four points that President Jokowi discussed with businessmen, namely the first related to air logistics. Erick said that in the current era full of uncertainty in terms of logistics and supply chains, Indonesia and PEA can become mutually beneficial partners.

"Indonesia and the UAE can become mutually beneficial partners. Where Indonesia is the center of the supply chains because Indonesia is rich in natural resources such as energy, food, etc., at the same time the UAE can be a window for Indonesia to conduct transactions from "Our goods go abroad. This is also part of opening up huge job opportunities for Indonesia and of course how we can maximize economic cooperation," he explained.

Second, regarding the capital city of the Archipelago (IKN), Erick explained that Indonesia, with its rapid economic growth and population, needs to create a new capital city. Erick views that the government needs to prepare the city of the future for the population, currently the majority are young.

"It is impossible for 50 million young Indonesians to enter old cities. Of course, with a system of renewable technology, of course we have to prepare the city of the future. The UAE itself, Abu Dhabi, are very optimistic that this is a good thing because they see pilot cities in Indonesia. big cities in the world which are now also centers of economic growth for each country," he explained.

Third, the meeting also discussed the development of marine tourism in the context of the blue economy. According to Erick, President Jokowi wants the development of the blue economy to help protect Indonesia's nature, not just exploit it.

"We have Raja Ampat, there is also a Komodo dragon which is very protected. Now we are trying to see how to build a blue map as a whole, our marine tourism is friendly or very friendly with nature and also with the cruise industry or tourism with closeness to family So it's not just entertainment and tourism," he said.

Finally, the meeting also discussed the comparison of Indonesia's financial policies with other countries. According to Erick, this is done so that Indonesia can be more competitive and can continue to attract investment.

"So that we can be more competitive and continue to attract investment as employment growth and of course the Indonesian economy is growing very well today and all countries appreciate it," he said.

For information, the entrepreneurs and investors who attended were National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Group G42 Ltd CEO Peng Xiao, Abu Dhabi Holding CEO Mohamed Hassan Al Suwaidi, and Lulu Group Executive Director Ashraf Ali.

Also accompanying the President in the meeting were Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan, Indonesian Ambassador to PEA Husin Bagis, Head of the IKN Authority Agency Bambang Susantono, and Head of the Indonesia Investment Authority (INA) Ridha Wirakusumah.