Erick Thohir Meets US Ambassador, Discuss What?

Photo: Instagram @erickthohir

JAKARTA - Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir met with the United States Ambassador to Indonesia, Ambassador Kamala S. Lakhdhir. The two discussed global economic developments.

The meeting between Erick Thohir and the United States Ambassador to Indonesia, Ambassador Kamala S. Lakhdhir took place at the BUMN Ministry Office, Jakarta, Friday, February 15.

Apart from discussing global economic developments. During the meeting, continued Erick, it was also discussed about opportunities for cooperation between Indonesia and the US.

"Today I am at the Ministry of SOEs the arrival of the United States Ambassador to Indonesia, Ambassador Kamala S. Lakhdhir. We discussed global economic developments and we are open to opportunities for cooperation between the two countries," Erick wrote as quoted from Instagram @erickthohir, Friday, February 14.

Erick said the opportunity for cooperation could cover various sectors to support the supply chain or world supply chain.

"BUMN is ready to collaborate to increase national economic growth and can provide benefits for both countries," wrote Erick.

Previously, it was reported that the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir asked state-owned airlines to explore the procurement of aircraft with the aircraft manufacturer from the US, Boeing. This plan departs from Indonesia, which lacks an aircraft fleet.

The state-owned airlines in question are PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, PT Citilink Indonesia, and PT Pelita Air Service.

Erick said ideally the aircraft in Indonesia was at 700 units. However, after the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of aircraft in Indonesia has decreased to the remaining 390 fleets.

This condition was also conveyed by Erick Thohir directly to Boeing during a bilateral meeting with the Asian American Chamber of Commerce today at the Ministry of SOEs Office.

"We encourage this collaboration. In fact, one of them is open to increasing the number of aircraft through Boeing. But how is the procurement roadmap and then leasing and all kinds of things," he said at a press conference at the Ministry of SOEs, Jakarta, Thursday, December 5.

Regarding the procurement of this aircraft fleet, Erick admitted that he would discuss with US, Exim Bank and the aircraft lessor export banks.

However, there is no certainty when the number of fleets or the value of procurement will be agreed between state-owned airlines and Boeing. This is because this adjusts to the roadmaps of each airline and producer.

"I offer how, for example, the Exim Bank, the leasing company can negotiate directly with Garuda, Citilink, and Pelita. But according to the roadmaps of each airline, that's what we do," he said.