Conglomerate Prajogo Pangestu's Company To Eka Tjipta Widjaja 'Joint' 2,000 Oxygen Cylinders For India

Illustration. (Photo: Unsplash)

JAKARTA - A number of large companies are doing "joint ventures" to send oxygen cylinders to Indonesia. Among them are companies owned by conglomerates Eka Tjipta Widjaja (Sinar Mas), and Prajogo Pangestu (Barito Pacific).

The assistance in the form of oxygen cylinders to India is to help 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 an export market share in India, in responding to the President's directive to raise aid," said Airlangga in his official statement, Friday 28 May.

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 participants 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 actors can help alleviate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic that is hitting India.