Comes To Abu Dhabi, Erick Thohir Delivers 4 Discussion Points

Minister of SOEs, Erick Thohir. (Photo: Doc. Ministry of SOEs)

JAKARTA - Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir expressed the interest of investors and entrepreneurs from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to invest in Indonesia.

"Thank God, the President's meeting with several investment companies from Abu Dhabi, they are very optimistic about working together on several projects that can be synergized between the UAE and Indonesia," Erick said in an official statement, Saturday, July 2.

Erick explained that there were four points that were the main discussion in the meeting, namely cooperation in the field of air logistics, the capital of the Archipelago (IKN), the development of marine tourism in the context of the blue economy, and the comparison of Indonesia's financial policies with many countries.

Erick assessed that the UAE and Indonesia could become mutually beneficial partners in the midst of uncertainty in supply chains and logistics and world supply chains. Erick said that Indonesia is the center of the supply chain because it is known to be rich in natural resources such as energy and food.

"At the same time, the UAE can be a window for Indonesia to carry out transactional transactions of our goods abroad. This is also part of opening up huge job opportunities for Indonesia and of course how we can maximize economic cooperation," continued Erick.

Regarding IKN, continued Erick, Indonesia, with its rapid economic and population growth, needs to create a new capital city. Erick views that the government needs to prepare the city of the future for the population, which is currently the majority of young people.

"It's impossible for 50 million young Indonesians to go to 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 to see this is something good because they see examples of big cities in the world which are now also centers of economic growth for their respective countries," said Erick.

Jokowi, continued Erick, also paid special attention to the development of marine tourism that puts the economy first. This is so that the development of the blue economy can help protect Indonesia's nature and 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, "said Erick.

Regarding the comparison of Indonesia's financial policies with many countries, Erick said this was done so that Indonesia could be more competitive and could continue to attract investment as employment growth.

"Of course Indonesia's economy is growing very well today and all countries appreciate it," said Erick.

On the same day, said Erick, Jokowi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan also witnessed the exchange of documents between the Indonesia-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IUAE-CEPA) at the Al Shatie Palace, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Erick explained that the IUAE-CEPA cooperation agreement contained a number of agreements in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding for Joint Project Management on Mangroves between the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment with the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Protocol on Amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding between Indonesia and the UAE on Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Cooperation, Memorandum of Understanding The understanding between the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency of the Republic of Indonesia and the UAE Ministry of Health on the control of vaccines and drugs, the Protocol on Cooperation in the Defense Industry and the Procurement of Military Equipment, the Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation between Nahdlatul Ulama University and the University of Humanity Mohammed Bin Zayed, and the Landing Platform Dock (LPD) Purchase Contract between PT PAL Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates Navy.

"A new era of increasing trade, investment, and the Indonesian economy. This cooperation will improve the economies of the two countries. God willing, it will be beneficial for all of us," concluded Erick.