Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN/SOEs) Erick Thohir conveyed that the successful transformation of SOEs received a positive response from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Erick Thohir conveyed this message after meeting with the UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail Mohammed al-Mazroei and his staff in Jakarta, Monday (7 March).

"Minister Suhail Muhammed al-Mazroei is very enthusiastic to hear the explanation of the SOE transformation," said Erick in an official statement in Jakarta, Tuesday (8/3).

The UAE's enthusiasm is based on the achievement of consolidated SOE net profit which has increased significantly. Erick said that the consolidated net profit of SOEs in 2021 would reach Rp 90 trillion, a sharp jump compared to 2020 which was Rp 13 trillion.

Erick assessed that the success of the SOE transformation has encouraged the UAE's trust to increase cooperation with SOEs.

The UAE has expressed its interest in increasing various collaborations with SOEs for the health, food and energy sectors. Erick said that the Ministry of SOEs had prioritized the three sectors from the start.

"The presence of a pandemic opens our eyes and becomes a momentum for us to strengthen food, health and energy security," continued Erick.

Erick said that SOEs currently have a number of holdings, such as food holdings, pharmaceutical holdings, hospital holdings, and also holding Indonesia Battery Corporation (IBC) which are open to cooperating with the UAE.

Erick hopes that the collaboration with the UAE will not only have a positive impact on Indonesia in building food, health and energy security, but will also be able to increase the competitiveness of SOEs in the international arena.

"The UAE will continue to increase investment cooperation with SOEs for health, food and energy independence. We hope that this will be a mutually beneficial cooperation," he continued.

Erick said the global health architecture, digital transformation, and sustainable energy transition are the focus of Indonesia in the Indonesian Presidency at the G20.

Erick said that Indonesia would continue to encourage the realization of equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines and support sustainable and inclusive economic development through the participation of MSMEs and the digital economy. This meeting was also attended by Deputy Minister of BUMN I Pahala Nugraha Mansury and Deputy Minister of BUMN II Kartika Wirjoatmodjo.