Pandjaitan's : UAE visit prioritizes deepening economic cooperation

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan (third left) held a meeting with a delegation led by UAE Minister of Energy and Industry Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei (third right), including members of the International Chamber of Commerce of the United Arab Emirates (ICC UAE) in Abu Dhabi, on Monday (Sept 16). (ANTARA/Doc. Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs/ AK).

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan has embarked on a working visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to intensify economic cooperation between Indonesia and the UAE.

In a written statement in Jakarta on Tuesday, Pandjaitan held a meeting with a delegation led by UAE Minister of Energy and Industry Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei comprising members of the International Chamber of Commerce of the United Arab Emirates (ICC UAE) in Abu Dhabi on Monday (September 16).

"The two countries have supported one another in various international forums, though now is the time for us to focus on economic and business cooperation. The UAE is one of the top global investors in agriculture, energy, fisheries, infrastructure, and financial products," Minister Pandjaitan noted.

During the visit, Pandjaitan was accompanied by a large Indonesian delegation.

The visit was a follow up to the visit of the Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan some time ago.

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Representatives of several state-owned enterprises, including Pertamina, PLN, PJB, Wijaya Karya, Waskita Karya, Jasa Marga, SMI, Inalum, and several private sectors were part of the visit during which they held discussions on economic cooperation with colleagues from the UAE, whose outcomes are expected to be known in the near future.

"I was accompanied by a delegation, of some 45 people. Members of the delegation held discussions with colleagues from the UAE. We hope to be able to obtain the results soon," Minister Pandjaitan remarked.

"The UAE is actively involved in strategic issues, such as spreading tolerance and combating radicalism. The education system in the UAE is part of its success achieved in that field. We look forward to working with the UAE through exchanges and cooperation in the field of education," the minister emphasized.

On the occasion, Pandjaitan also elaborated on the significance of the UAE’s strategic role in the Middle East for Indonesia.

"Connectivity and export centers. Hence, it is our interest to develop close trade cooperation with the UAE, so we can ensure that products gain more global market access," he stated.

To this end, Pandjaitan has invited UAE investors to invest in the areas of tourism, defense industry, and financial technology, as well as the construction of public facilities, such as hospitals and schools.