UAE to partner with Indonesia on energy, housing, defense

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Chairman of the National Economic Council (DEN) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan stated that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) expressed readiness to cooperate with Indonesia in various sectors, including green energy, housing infrastructure, and defense.

This statement follows his meeting with the UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Suhail Al-Mazroui, on Friday.

"We discussed several points, such as the UAE's US$50 million donation for forest reforestation in Indonesia, which will be realized during Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's (MBZ's) visit to Indonesia," he noted in a statement from his office on Saturday.

Pandjaitan remarked that in the green energy sector, the UAE is committed to investing in geothermal, hydropower, wind power, and solar panels to accelerate sustainable economic growth.

Additionally, the UAE will finance the construction of three million houses in Indonesia, he stated.

"Followed by the development of ports in Tanjung Priok and Makassar, which will be upgraded to meet international standards, in line with the cooperation in the electricity sector, with a potential capacity of up to 62 GW," Pandjaitan revealed.

In the defense sector, he noted that the UAE had expressed interest in partnering in the production of light weapons and assault rifles.

According to the statement, the UAE is keen on maintaining stable relations between the two countries.

"We also discussed the development of several strategic projects, including the Emirates-Indonesia Cardiology Hospital in Surakarta, the development of North Bali Airport, which is still in the study stage, and alumina processing with a downstream policy," Pandjaitan remarked.

In addition, he explained that UAE's investment would also encompass the construction of the National Data Center, the development of the Financial Center in the IKN, and the establishment of the International Mangrove Research Center in Bali.

Pandjaitan then revealed that discussions with the UAE also included the management of ports and airports in Jakarta and Bali, as well as the UAE's interest in investing in state-owned enterprises' (SOEs') hotel sector through a joint venture scheme.

"All these initiatives reflect a strong commitment to building a more advanced and sustainable future. I am optimistic this cooperation will continue to grow and benefit both countries," he stated.