President Prabowo Attends Indonesia-Brazil Business Forum

President Prabowo Subianto delivers his remarks at the Indonesia-Brazil Business Forum, at Copacabana Palace, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday (11/17). (Photo by: BPMI/Muchlis Jr)

President Prabowo Subianto Sunday (11/17) attended Indonesia-Brazil Business Forum at Copacabana Palace, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to discuss opportunities for strategic economic cooperation, including in the energy, industrial, and maritime sectors.

In his remarks, the President highlighted that Indonesia and Brazil have a number of similarities, such as their natural resources and future strategic vision. “Indonesia and Brazil are relatively big countries and have big population. We have big resources. Brazil is quite advanced in its industries while Indonesia is trying to catch up and I think we can have a good synergy and have a good symbiotic relationship between us,” President Prabowo said in his remarks.

President Prabowo also expressed support for Brazil’s role as a key member of BRICS, an economic organization that is increasingly influential on the global stage. The President expressed Indonesia’s commitment to join the BRICS as part of the strategy to strengthen the national economy.

“I had sent Minister of Foreign Affairs to attend the BRICS Summit in Kazan, one day after my cabinet was inaugurated. Indonesia has a desire to join Brazil and other BRICS member countries,” the President stated.

Moreover, according to President Prabowo, food security is important since it is the main foundation of a country’s development. Free meal program for Indonesian children, therefore, becomes his administration’s priority and the President wants to learn from Brazil’s similar program.

“I want to learn from Brazil’s successful program, so I have ordered my team to further cooperate with the Brazilian Ambassador to Indonesia,” the President said.

On the occasion, President Prabowo also highlighted the great opportunities for cooperation in the Indonesian energy sector, especially in the development of biofuel and renewable energy since the country has set a plan to increase the use of biodiesel to 50 percent by 2025, by utilizing palm oil as the main raw material.

As for the maritime sector, the President stated that Indonesia is among the top three fish producing countries but in need of 40,000 fishing vessels with a capacity of 150-300 GT. Therefore, he invited Brazilian business actors to invest in this sector while supporting Indonesia’s natural resources downstreaming program.

Concluding his remarks, the President asserted Indonesia’s commitment to create an open and positive business climate for foreign investment. “We are dedicated, we are determined to create a positive business environment,” President Prabowo said. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/ABD) (GWH/MMB)