Memuka Menko Airlangga, Bos Unilever Ready Tingkatkan Investasi Di Indonesia Dengan Tetap Dukung Campaign Positif Minyak Sawit

Unilever Global Chief Executive Officer Alan Jope's meeting with Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto at B20 Bali. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Unilever is committed to continuing to increase investment in Indonesia by supporting various positive campaigns for Indonesian palm oil in Europe.

This was revealed by Unilever Global Chief Executive Officer Alan Jope in his meeting with the Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto on the sidelines of the 20th Business (B20) Summit in Nusa Dua, Bali, Monday, November 14, as quoted by Antara, Tuesday, November 15.

Since 2015, Unilever Oleochemical Indonesia (UOI) has made investments and businesses in the Sei Mangke Special Economic Zone (SEZ), North Sumatra. Until 2020, UOI has invested IDR 2.5 trillion or about 200 million US dollars there.

The existence of UOI investment in the Sei Mangke SEZ has a multiplier impact on the economy of the surrounding residents. In fact, the expansion of investment has absorbed up to 600 direct workers, as well as more than 3,000 indirect workers," said Alan Jope.

On the same occasion, Coordinating Minister Airlangga also mentioned issues related to exports of palm oil to Europe. palm oil is the main commodity that supports the Indonesian economy.

"Discrimination carried out is very detrimental to Indonesia in this case. The Indonesian government is working hard to overcome this discrimination," said Airlangga.

Responding to Airlangga's concerns, Alan said that oil palm is currently associated as something that is not good in the European region. However, there are many industries in Europe that actually use palm oil as raw material because the price is cheaper than other vegetable oils.

Regarding the issue of Indonesian palm oil continuing to be the target of a negative campaign by various groups, Unilever is expected to play its role by helping Indonesia's positive campaign of palm oil in Europe.

At the end of the meeting, both parties agreed to continue to support Unilever's investment in Indonesia, including in ensuring the supply of energy and fiscal incentives and so on, especially in the Sei Mangkei SEZ.