Good News From Airlangga To Help India Combat The Crazy COVID-19: Indonesia Returns To Send 2,000 Oxygen Cylinders

Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Airlangga Hartarto, presided over the ceremonial delivery of 2,000 oxygen cylinders to India. (Photo: Doc. Barito Pacific)

JAKARTA - Indonesia is again sending aid in the form of oxygen gas cylinders to India for victims of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this second stage, 2,000 oxygen cylinders are shipped with a capacity of 6 cubic meters (equivalent to 40 liters). Previously, in the first stage, 1,400 tubes had been removed from a total of 3,400 tubes to be given.

Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Airlangga Hartarto said that closer cooperation and mutual support in facing the pandemic was the background for sending oxygen canisters from the Indonesian government to India.

"India is our important partner, including in handling the COVID-19 pandemic. We appreciate the concern and support of the Indonesian industrial sector, some of which have a share of the export market in India, in responding to the President's direction to raise assistance," said Airlangga in his official statement, Friday May 28th.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Industry, Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, said that the delivery of oxygen gas cylinders to India was the participation of the industrial sector in Indonesia. The Minister of Industry conveyed that the government gave appreciation to industrial associations and players involved in the humanitarian aid program.

"The delivery of this second phase of oxygen assistance shows that Indonesia is committed to helping India in overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic," he said.

The list of industry participation in the second phase of aid delivery today is as follows:

1. The Indonesian Industrial Gas Association and PT Samator have coordinated the procurement of oxygen cylinders and contents for 3,400 tubes.

2. Sinar Mas: Financing 500 tubes.

3. PT Indofood: Financing 400 tubes.

4. PT Agung Sedayu Group: Financing 350 tubes.

5. Bakti Barito Foundation (COVID-19 Relief Bakti Barito): Financing 350 tubes.

6. PT First Resources: Financing 350 tubes.

7. PT Inti Sumber Baja Sakti: Financing 50 tubes.

8. PT Asia Pacific Rayon and the Indonesian Textile Association: Financing for tube delivery.

9. PT Indorama Group: administrative assistance and shipping documents.

10. PT Aneka Gas Industri Tbk: donation of oxygen gas.

A member of the Board of Trustees for the Bakti Barito Foundation, Rudy Suparman, who also handed over the aid, thanked the Indonesian government and the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation for facilitating this humanitarian aid which is a joint contribution of the industrial community and business actors in Indonesia.

"We hope that this assistance can alleviate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in our friendly country, India," explained Rudy.

The Bakti Barito Foundation is a philanthropic foundation of the Barito Pacific Group, founded by conglomerate Prajogo Pangestu. Rudy hopes that this social activity which is a form of collaboration between the government and industry players can help alleviate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic that is hitting India.