"The delegation from Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates will visit Indonesia this week. Saudi Aramco will then explore investment opportunities in Indonesia next week," ESDM Minister Sudirman Said stated here on Monday (Sept. 28).
Therefore, he noted that the ministry is preparing a concept and plan for building cooperation that will be offered to the delegation.
The visit aims to strengthen and increase investment in Indonesia.
"They will explore investment opportunities in the energy, tourism, and food sectors. Thailand will be used as a hub for halal-certified food products," he remarked.
"The ministry will form a team to follow up on the plan. We are preparing to become a credible partner," he noted.
Regarding incentives, the minister will take into account the needs of prospective investors.
Earlier, President Joko Widodo visited Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to explore investment opportunities.
"We met the king, finance minister, and defense minister of Saudi Arabia. However, the Saudi oil minister was not there. One of the topics we discussed was how Saudi Aramco's investment in Indonesia could be realized," Said stated on the sidelines of a working meeting with Commission VII.
During President Widodo's visit to the Middle East, Minister Said was tasked with establishing cooperation with his counterpart in the Middle East.
"However, I was assigned the role of a regional supervisor. So, it is the minister who is assigned to handle Middle East investment," he said.
During his visit to the Middle East, the president held bilateral talks with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulazis in Jidda; with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi of the United Arab Emirates; and with Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani in Doha.
"The state visits aim to strengthen relations between Indonesia and the Middle Eastern countries, particularly in the fields of economy, energy resilience, Indonesian migrant worker protection, and cooperation in the field of strategic industry," President Widodo stated at a press conference during his visit on Friday (Sept. 11).
Speaking in connection with the meetings held in the Middle East, Said revealed that four issues were discussed, including Saudi Aramco's request to invest in Indonesia.
He pointed out that Saudi Aramco sought a government guarantee on its investment.
"They asked for a government guarantee. We have no problem with that and will provide a guarantee. Their investment will be supported by the government," remarked Said.
Saudi Aramco is also keen to invest in the downstream sector in areas such as starting the business of fuel refilling stations and oil storage facilities.
"They sought a permit to start business in the downstream sector. It is not necessary that it would be done independently or in collaboration with its partners," he explained. (WDY)
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