South Korea and Indonesia Agree to Cooperate on Reducing Carbon Emissions

Indonesia and South Korea have agreed to collaborate to reduce carbon emissions. This was marked by the signing of a memorandum of understanding on the implementation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto welcomed the initiative of the South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) in establishing bilateral cooperation with Indonesia to implement Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. This is in line with Indonesia’s efforts to continue exploring cooperation both bilaterally and multilaterally.

Airlangga said this event was one way to strengthen the achievement of the commitment as stated in the Enhanced Nationally Determined Contribution (ENDC) to reduce carbon emissions by up to 31.89% with his own efforts and up to 43.20% with international support. In addition, the two countries will also obtain carbon credits through Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMO) from selected projects that receive subsidies from MOTIE.

“MOTIE has contacted the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy since last year. We agreed to this cooperation and signed the MoU today. The form of cooperation in this MoU also has many similarities with the implementation of JCM that has been carried out by Indonesia. After this, we hope that companies from both countries can immediately collaborate to realize a reduction in carbon emissions,” said Airlangga in a written statement, Thursday (6/6/2024).

Airlangga said that his party had experience in coordinating similar cooperation through the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) scheme between Indonesia and Japan since 2013. Currently there are 55 JCM projects spread across various regions in Indonesia and have contributed significantly to supporting low-carbon development in Indonesia.

He also hopes that the collaboration with South Korea can contribute a lot in encouraging Indonesia’s efforts to achieve the target of Enhanced Nationally Determined Contribution (ENDC) in 2030 and Net-Zero Emission (NZE) in 2060 or sooner.

“This collaboration can support sustainable development in Indonesia through increasing green investment and creating green jobs,” he explained.

June 6, 2024, detikFinance

(https://finance.detik.com/energi/d-7377684/korsel-ri-sepakat-kerja-sama-penurunan-emisi-karbon)

Indonesia is the Top Muslim-Friendly Destination of The Year 2024

Indonesia won the title of Top Muslim Friendly Destination of the Year 2024 in the Mastercard Crescent Rating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) which took place in Singapore, Thursday (5/30/2024). Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf) Sandiaga Uno attended directly and received the award at Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium, Singapore.

“Surely we need to maintain this mandate, we guard, and we continue to improve. Because Muslim friendly is related to the hygiene of a product,” said Sandiaga in the speech after receiving the award.

The predicate as a Muslim friendly country in 2024 made Indonesia succeed in defending a similar title in 2023. Sandiaga considered the award to be a reminder that the potential of the halal industry was still very large to be developed. In second place, Indonesia was followed by Malaysia and Saudi Arabia in third. Completing the top five there are Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in fourth and fifth positions. Meanwhile, the non-member country that won the title of the most Muslim friendly country was Singapore. As runner up the British, in third, fourth and fifth ranked in a row are Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand.

Sandiaga said the global Muslim population reached 2 billion or around 25 percent of the world population in 2022. According to the Global Report of the Muslim Travel Index 2023, the number was estimated to increase by 2.3 billion or around 27 percent of the world population in 2030.

“This is an opportunity and the potential of the halal industry to be able to develop exponentially. Because the global Muslim population continues to grow,” said Sandiaga.

Since the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) in 2023 has placed Indonesia as the first top destination for Muslim tourists. Indonesia continues to expand services for Muslim tourists and promote Muslim-friendly tourism services, encourage a longer visitor to live, and increase tourist spending.

In 2024, Muslim-friendly tourism in Indonesia prioritizes several programs such as halal certification for business and MSMEs, digitalpreneur santri, e-catalogs of the Indonesian Great Mosque, Global Hub of Modest Fashion, to bilateral collaboration with Saudi Arabia.

Sandiaga said that the series of programs was expected to realize the achievement of the target of 17 million foreign tourist visits and 1.5 billion domestic tourist movements in 2024. And accelerate the opening of employment, one of which relies on halal tourism.

“Creation of employment in the tourism sector is six times more than other sectors. And this is also primarily able to empower the community significantly,” said Sandiaga.

May 31, 2024, detikTravel

(https://travel.detik.com/travel-news/d-7367504/indonesia-juara-destinasi-ramah-muslim-2024)

Indonesia Encourages CNGR in China to Collaborate with Research and Development with UGM

Indonesia through the Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto visited CNGR integrated industrial facilities based in the Qinzhou area, southern China. The distance is approximately 90 km from the city of Nanning in southern China. Airlangga’s arrival was received directly by CNGR Chairman Deng Wei Ming.

Airlangga directly checks the OESBF technology facility for the resistance of mineral reserves, which can take nickel coverage with a wider grade. Then nickel electrolytic facilities that use centrifugation extraction technology. Furthermore, seeing technology for the production of lithium battery raw material precursors that are currently used by many leading industries such as Tesla, Samsung, LG, SK, Panasonic.

On the visit, Airlangga also encouraged CNGR to help the development of R&D material for new energy, which collaborates with universities. In this case with the Faculty of Engineering, Gadjah Mada University (FT UGM).

Through this collaboration, the establishment of metal energy R&D centers will be prepared or the Center for Research and Development of Energy Materials. While UGM will play a role in developing the Engineering Research Innovation Center at UGM, which is currently more research on recycling, Rare Earth Element, material deposit in Indonesia.

Airlangga hopes that CNGR’s support will focus more on material for new energy. On the other hand, Deng expressed his interest in collaboration with universities in Indonesia.

“CNGR is committed to cooperating with leading universities in Indonesia in the development of material industrial technology diversification for new energy in Indonesia,” he said in a written statement, Monday (5/27/2024).

It is known, CNGR is one of the large company groups from China engaged in the nickel processing industry, which leads the development and innovation in the field of material energy and is recognized as the world leader in new energy materials. CNGR conducts 4 industrial modernizations, namely technology diversification, development globalization, operational digitalization and making industrial ecologizes.

As an integrated industry in nickel processing, CNGR produces the synthesis of ternary precursors and electrolytic nickel. CNGR plans to make an investment of IDR 168.2 trillion in the next 20 years, and since 2021 has made an investment ofIDR 32.1 trillion in Indonesia. CNGR has built nickel processing industry facilities in Morowali, North Morowali, Weda Bay, and Batulicin.

At present CNGR is starting to develop integrated area facilities in North Konawe, called the Konasara Green Techno Industry (KITHK) area of ​​more than 5,000 ha, the construction will begin in the fourth quarter of 2024, and is estimated to absorb as many as 28 thousand local workers.

To maintain the sustainability of natural resources and the resistance of Indonesian mineral reserves, CNGR is processing nickel ore with OESBF (Oxygen Enriched Side Blow Furnace) technology innovation which is the first industry in the world to implement the use of nickel ore with broader grade scope, energy efficiency that minimizes Carbon emissions, and waste production that is environmentally friendly and can be utilized by other industries.

In addition, as a result of synergy with the downstream mineral policy in Indonesia, CNGR has succeeded in producing nickel electrolytic (nickel cathode) with a purity of 99.99%. As of May 23, 2024, CNGR has also brought Indonesian nickel into the metal supply chain in LME (London Metal Exchange).

May 27, 2024, detikFinance

(https://finance.detik.com/berita-ekonomi-bisnis/d-7359545/airlangga-dorong-perusahaan-cngr-di-china-kerja-sama-r-d-dengan-ugm)

Indonesia-China Agreed in the Collaboration of Digital Transformation and AI

During a working visit in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday (5/27/2024), Minister of Communication and Information Budi Arie Setiadi held a bilateral meeting with Deputy Minister of Industry and Information Technology China Shan Zhongde. Previously, Budi Arie also met with Secretary General of Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) Deemah Al Yahya. The two bilateral meetings were held at the Geneva International Convention Center (CICG).

In a meeting with Zhongde, Budi Arie Setiadi revealed that Indonesia was convinced that the development of AI (Artificial Intelligent) and investment in HR would bring progress. Indonesia also seeks to avoid middle income trap by advancing digital economy and AI utilization. He also explained that Indonesia had a code of ethics in the use of AI.

For this reason, Budi Arie also hopes that China will support the development of digitalization, especially I in the interior of Indonesia. In June 2024, Budi Arie will make a working visit to Shanghai as well as to explore further cooperation in the digital field with China.

“Hopefully this meeting will bring better cooperation for mutual success,” Budi Arie said in his statement.

At the meeting, Budi Arie was present with the Director General of PPI Kominfo Wayan Toni, Managing Director of Bakti Kominfo Fadhilah Mathar, as well as Special Staff of the Minister of Communication and Information Sarwoto Atmosutarno, Daniel Hutagalung, Jobpie Sugiharto, and Dedy Permadi. Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Industry and Information Technology China Shan Zhongde was accompanied by nine members of the delegation from the Chinese government.

On that occasion, Zhongde said China wanted to support Indonesia in digital transformation, especially in the telecommunications sector, namely the development of 5G and 6G and AI technology. He also hopes that Indonesia will send a delegation in an international forum on the digital and AI industry which will be held in early September this year in his country.

“We expect cooperation regarding the use of AI for the progress of the people of each country,” he added.

May 27, 2024, CNBC Indonesia

(https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20240527213935-4-541619/ri-china-sepakat-dalami-kerja-sama-transformasi-digital-dan-ai)

Indonesia-South Korea Explores Nuclear Cooperation to Electric Cars

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto working visit to South Korea. In the series of visits, Airlangga met the Minister of Trade Minister, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) of South Korea, Ahn Duk Geun in Seoul, Wednesday (5/22/2024). Airlangga said that the relations between Indonesia and South Korea which had been closely established so far could be increased, especially in the industrial, trade and energy sectors.

“We believe our cooperation in the future will increase and develop. I hope that Minister AHN can help to further strengthen and deepen industrial cooperation, trade, and also in the field of energy transition between Indonesia and Korea,” Airlangga said in a written statement.

For information, in July 2023 the Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation (JCEC) was held in Seoul. In the meeting several important results were achieved, including the cooperation in the development of nickel derivatives for electric vehicle (EV) batteries, the market access to Indonesian fruit products to South Korea.

Then, the expansion of the Lotte petrochemical factory, the construction of the Krakatau Steel – Posco steel cluster, the expansion of the Indonesian UMKM market access (small, micro and medium businesses) through South Korean e-platform Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology, hydrogen/ammonia energy production, and hydropower development.

Furthermore, South Korea also conveyed the opportunity for cooperation related to the development of nuclear power plants (PLTN) through the Korea atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) which has developed Small Modular Technology

Reactor (SMR) which is designed is safe and produces lower carbon traces than conventional reactors. Small-scale modular nuclear reactors are an alternative solution to supply electrical energy, especially in remote or isolated areas.

“At the 3rd JCEC meeting this year is Indonesia’s turn to host, so on this occasion we invite Minister AHN to hold a JCEC meeting in July in Jakarta,” said Coordinating Minister Airlangga.

The two ministers also discussed the cooperation between the construction of the Electronic Vehicle ecosystem (EV/Electric Vehicles) through Hyundai and LG Energy Solution investments in Indonesia.

“I hope that the EV ecosystem can be deeper and of course later with Korea asking for help to talk to America so that the IRA law can open markets for products from cooperation between LG and Hyundai to enter the American market,” said Coordinating Minister Airlangga.

May 22, 2024, detikFinance

(https://finance.detik.com/energi/d-7353965/ri-korsel-jajaki-kerja-sama-nuklir-hingga-genjot-mobil-listrik)

The 10th  World Water Forum in Bali and the Contents of the Ministerial Declaration

President Joko Widodo opened the 10th World Water Forum Forum (WWF) this morning in Bali, Monday (5/20/2024). This international forum will discuss various important issues in the water sector. In this 10th World Water Forum, Indonesia had the opportunity to host. The event was attended by around 35 thousand delegates from 193 countries in the world. In addition to government officials from various parts of the world, on this occasion also attended the richest people on earth as well as SpaceX CEO, Elon Musk.

“Welcome to Bali. It is an honor for Indonesia to be trusted to host the 10th Dunai Water Forum to strengthen joint commitments and formulate concrete inclusive and sustainable water management,” Jokowi said, at the Bali International Convention Center (BICC) on Monday (5/20/2024).

Water resource management is a big homework for the world going forward. Jokowi said, of the 72% of the surface of the earth covered with water, only 1% can be accessed and used as drinking water and sanitation. Severe conditions are also projected to occur in 2050. 

Indonesia itself, as a country with a waters area reaching 60% has great potential. 

“Indonesia is rich in local wisdom of water management. Starting from along the coastline, riverbanks, to the edge of the lake. Our society has cultural values ​​to water. One of them is a subak irrigation system in Bali which was practiced since the 11th century and is recognized as a world cultural heritage , “he said.

In addition, he also exhibited culture in Balinese society where water is a glory that contains spiritual values ​​and culture that must be managed together. This is in line with this year’s WWF theme, water for joint prosperity. Jokowi explained, this theme can be interpreted into 3 basic principles, namely avoiding competition, prioritizing equity and inclusion cooperation, and supporting peace and prosperity together.

“All three can only be realized with a keyword, namely collaboration. In Indonesia Collaboration has become the key to success in the restoration of the Citarum River, as well as the development of green energy, solar panel floating in the Cirata Reservoir which is the largest in Southeast Asia and third in the world,” Jokowi said.

With the gathering of various stakeholders in Bali this time, Indonesia hopes that the world can join hands with continuity to be able to strengthen the commitment of collaboration in overcoming global challenges related to water.

In addition, the 10th World Water Forum, which was held on May 18-25, 2024, in Bali produced a new milestone. For the first time in its implementation, this forum produced a ministerial declaration to strengthen global water security. The ministerial declaration was passed at the end of the 10th WWF Ministerial Level meeting which was attended by 106 countries and 27 international organizations on Tuesday (5/21). The result was revealed by the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) who is also the 10th Daily Chairperson of the WWF Organizing Committee, Basuki Hadimuljono.

The first point is the establishment of a center of excellence for water and climate security in order to develop capacity, knowledge sharing & utilization of superior facilities. 

The second point of the Ministerial Declaration is to lift and encourage the issue of integrated water resource management on small islands. Although surrounded by broad waters, Indonesia is considered to still need a good management system to overcome the challenges of quality and availability of clean water. 

Third, the proposal for World Lake Day or World Lake Day which will then be brought to the United Nations (UN). The lake is a source of water supply that supports humans as well as having a social and economic function of the community so that the commemoration of World Lake Day is considered one of the main keys to preserve the lake throughout the world. 

Exploring CCS, Pertamina-ExxonMobil & Knock Development Collaboration

Pertamina-ExxonMobil and the South Korean oil and gas company, namely the Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC), have just signed a Framework Agreement. Especially for the development of the Carbon Capture Storage (CCS) Hub project in the western part of the Java Sea, the Asri Basin and the Sunda Basin. The signing of the collaboration between the three big companies took place on the sidelines of the IPA Convention & Exhibition at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) BSD City, Wednesday (15/5/2024).

Deputy for Maritime Sovereignty and Energy Coordination at the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Jodi Mahardi, explained that the form of cooperation between the three companies is still limited to studies related to the size of CCS capacity in the Asri Basin and Sunda Basin.

Pertamina-ExxonMobil and the South Korean oil and gas company, namely the Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC), have just signed a Framework Agreement. Especially for the development of the Carbon Capture Storage (CCS) Hub project in the western part of the Java Sea, the Asri Basin and the Sunda Basin.

The signing of the collaboration between the three big companies took place on the sidelines of the IPA Convention & Exhibition at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) BSD City, Wednesday (15/5/2024).

Deputy for Maritime Sovereignty and Energy Coordination at the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Jodi Mahardi, explained that the form of cooperation between the three companies is still limited to studies related to the size of CCS capacity in the Asri Basin and Sunda Basin.

“We are still studying Pertamina with KNOC first, and then with ExxonMobil to study the capacity that can be deposited in Sunda Asri and plans for later infrastructure development,” he said when met after the signing.

Separately, the President Director of PT Pertamina (Persero) Nicke Widyawati explained that each company would have a role in this cooperation project. For example, Pertamina is a provider of carbon storage in reservoirs. Meanwhile, KNOC itself will act as a CCS storage consumer owned by Pertamina. Then Exxon itself acts as the technology owner.

“We offer a service concept starting from co2 capturing then transporting and injection. Because we have the concession in the block, but this requires permission from the government because there is a separate permit,” said Nicke.

Apart from Nicke and Jodi, those present at the signing included Director of ExxonMobil Cepu Ltd Carole J. Gall and President Director of KNOC Dong Sub Kim. Previously, Pertamina and ExxonMobil had also worked together to develop Carbon Capture Storage (CCS) in the Java Sea. With an investment value of more than US$ 2 billion, CCS has a capacity of up to 3 giga tonnes of CO2. The collaboration between the two was formalized through the signing of an Amendment to the Principles of Agreement as a continuation of the agreement produced at the G20 event last November 2022.

In this agreement, Pertamina and ExxonMobil agreed to continue their collaboration to evaluate the CCS Hub in the western part of the Java Sea, namely the Asri Basin and the Sunda Basin. The CCS Hub at this location is expected to offer significant volumes of geological storage, capable of capturing and injecting CO2 from domestic and regional industry.’

May 15, 2024, detikFinance

(https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20240515115830-4-538251/pertamina-exxonmobil-knoc-jajaki-kerja-sama-pengembangan-ccs)

World Water Forum 2024 in Indonesia, Offers IDR 154 Trillion Water Projects

The 10th World Water Forum will be held in Bali next week, or to be precise on 18-25 May 2024. It is hoped that holding this event will open up investment opportunities for the development of water infrastructure in Indonesia. Expert Staff to the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Firdaus Ali said that the largest water forum in the world will certainly provide several important agreements for Indonesia, one of which is bilateral and multilateral cooperation worth trillions of rupiah.

“There are commitments that have been discussed, but later the Coordinating Minister (Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan) will convey more detail. There are several projects with a value of up to trillions,” he said in a press release, written Friday (10/5/2024).

For this reason, Indonesia as the host is not only determined to make the 10th World Water Forum a success, but also encourages outputs and outcomes to be executed by countries in the world at the project level and real action in the field.

“This is not just a ceremonial activity. This is a meeting that discusses real realities on the ground, so concrete steps are needed,” said Firdaus.

Firdaus also emphasized that this event was an important momentum, not only for Indonesia but also for the world in order to solve problems in the field. In fact, the President of the World Bank, Ajay Banga, has also expressed his commitment to attend.

“That’s why the President of the World Bank has stated that he will attend. Likewise with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB),” he said.

Previously, the Secretary General of the PUPR Ministry, Mohammad Zainal Fatah, revealed that Indonesia would offer a number of strategic projects worth US$ 9.6 billion or IDR 154 trillion. Several of these projects were selected by the Ministry of National Planning and Development (PPN/Bappenas).

“This has combined many proposals, the value figure is US$ 9.6 billion in the form of projects, whether in the form of projects that are already underway or new projects for which funding is already there,” said Zainal, quoted from a statement on the Ministry of Communications and Information website.

At the 10th World Water Forum, business meetings were also held with strategic partners to discuss potential cooperation and investment related to water infrastructure development. As the host, Indonesia in this session will also ask for commitment from strategic partner countries in the context of cooperation in developing water infrastructure.

The 10th World Water Forum raised ‘Water for Shared Prosperity’. This theme is in line with the commitment of countries in the world who want to find solutions to increase and manage sustainable water resources as a step to face uncertain climate change.

The forum will focus on discussing four things, namely water conservation, clean water and sanitation, food and energy security, and mitigation of natural disasters.

A total of 244 sessions in the forum are expected to provide concrete results regarding the mainstreaming of integrated water management for small islands or Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) on Small Islands, the establishment of a center of excellence or best practices for water and climate security or the Center of Excellence on Water and Climate Resilience (COE), as well as the establishment of World Lakes Day.

May 10, 2024, detikFinance(https://finance.detik.com/infrastruktur/d-7334268/world-water-forum-2024-ri-bakal-tawarkan-proyek-air-rp-154-triliun)

Indonesia’s Economy Grows 5.11%, Optimism in the Midst of Recession-Growth Drops

President Joko Widodo was happy with reports of Indonesia’s economic growth. The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) explained that Indonesia’s economy will grow by 5.11% in the first quarter of 2024. Jokowi said that Indonesia’s fairly fertile economic growth shows optimism amidst the sluggish global economy. The reason is, the Indonesian economy is still growing amidst the conditions of many countries in recession and experiencing stagnant growth, and many are even contracting.

“Yes, this creates optimism. That other countries, big countries, one, two, three have entered the brink of recession, other countries have also seen their growth decline, but we are able to continue to increase by 5.11%,” said Jokowi met after inaugurating the IDTH Telecommunication Equipment Testing Center, Tuesday (7/5/2024).

Jokowi continued; two things contributed greatly to rapid economic growth in the first quarter of 2024. First, public consumption, second, investment that continues to enter Indonesia.

“I think we should be grateful for that because it is supported a lot by consumption, but also secondarily supported by investment that continues to enter our country,” explained Jokowi.

On the other hand, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati stated that this positive national economic growth was more or less supported by strong domestic demand and optimal support from the APBN as a shock absorber. This condition makes Indonesia one of the countries that is able to survive amidst global economic uncertainty.

“Even though the global economic situation tends to weaken, and financial market turmoil puts increasingly heavy pressure, the resilience of the Indonesian economy remains well maintained,” said Sri Mulyani, quoted from the Instagram account @smindrawati.

Furthermore, Sri Mulyani explained that in terms of production, leading sectors continued to grow positively. The manufacturing sector in the first quarter of 2024 grew 4.1% (YoY), driven by strong domestic demand and downstream policies.

Strong domestic demand was mainly supported by an increase in the food and beverage processing industry which grew 5.9% (YoY). The trade sector also grew by 4.6% (YoY), mainly driven by increased demand during Ramadan.

“Positive growth trends also occurred in all regions. Java Island, as the main contributor to the economy, grew relatively strongly at 4.84% (YoY). Other regions such as Sumatra grew 4.24% YoY; Bali and Nusa Tenggara 5.07% YoY “; Sulawesi 6.35% YoY; Kalimantan 6.17% YoY; Maluku and Papua grew 12.1% YoY,” he explained.

Then, he also said that this solid economic growth was able to encourage national job creation. As of February 2024, the number of workers nationally was recorded to have increased by 3.55 million people compared to the same period last year. The Open Unemployment Rate fell significantly to 4.82%, from the previous 5.32% in February 2023.

May 7, 2024, detikFinance

(https://finance.detik.com/berita-ekonomi-bisnis/d-7328484/ekonomi-ri-tumbuh-5-11-jokowi-negara-lain-resesi-pertumbuhannya-turun)

Indonesia-United Arab Emirates Target Non-Oil Trade of IDR 160 Trillion

Trade cooperation between Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates is getting stronger. This was conveyed by the President and CEO of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah. Lootah said that the signing of the Indonesia-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IUAE-CEPA) last year had removed barriers to trade in various goods and services between the two countries.

“This is expected to increase annual non-oil bilateral trade between our countries to US$10 billion (IDR 160 trillion) in the next five years,” said Lootah at the New Horizons: Doing Business with Indonesia event in South Jakarta, Monday (6/5/ 2024).

According to him, this agreement opens up attractive opportunities for the business community and both countries and confirms Indonesia’s position as a very important and strategic market for the United Arab Emirates and Dubai.

Lootah himself said that the market between Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates had been strong for several decades. He explained that during 2023, non-oil and gas bilateral trade between the two countries will reach US$3.5 billion (IDR 56 trillion) or achieve solid growth of 7.7% compared to the previous year.

As relations improve, in June 2023, Dubai International Chamber, launched a new international representative office in Jakarta with the aim of further strengthening bilateral trade and investment relations.

“Our team in Jakarta is happy to work with the Indonesian business world to support the growth of bilateral trade and investment, taking advantage of the CEPA agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia to achieve significant export and import expansion between the two markets,” he explained.

He said that the international representative office in Jakarta has several missions and focuses, namely building strong relationships with key public and private sector stakeholders, supporting Dubai-based companies that want to expand to Indonesia, and helping the Indonesian business world to enter the US market. Arab Emirates.

“By the end of 2023, a total of 99 Indonesian companies have registered as members of the Dubai Chamber, as many as 15 more companies joined us in the first quarter of this year, bringing the total to 114,” he explained.

“Reflecting the growing interest in Dubai among the Indonesian business community, we are confident that our office in Jakarta will continue to support and enhance the strategic bilateral trade and investment relationship between the two countries.”

Apart from that, the President and CEO of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, said that there was a possibility that companies from the United Arab Emirates would be interested in investing in Indonesia’s Archipelago Capital (IKN).

“As soon as investment opportunities are presented to us through investment promotion agencies in Indonesia, we will work with them (IKN) to introduce the private sector from the United Arab Emirates,” he said.

“Such opportunities are open to our private sector in Dubai, and we hope to encourage our companies to play a very important and important role in these investment opportunities,” he added.

May 6, 2024, CNBC Indonesia

(https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20240506134425-4-536060/ri-uea-makin-mesra-targetkan-perdagangan-non-minyak-rp160-t)

(https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20240506153950-4-536119/bisnis-uea-ri-makin-mesra-dubai-bakal-investasi-di-ikn)