TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir said that the Indonesian pharmaceutical industry is not only good domestically, but can also become a good partner to maintain the distribution of Covid-19 vaccine domestically, and internationally.

"Currently, cooperation with the United Arab Emirates involved Kimia Farma and Indofarma, after previously Bio Farma," Erick said in a video conference from Abu Dhabi on Saturday, August 22, 2020.

Erick said that the cooperation between Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will benefit both countries. The cooperation that Erick will discuss together with Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi with the UAE will be about energy sustainability, food sustainability, and health sustainability in relation to the drastic changes because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Therefore we are consistent on the three main interests and are based for beneficial cooperation," Erick said.

In terms of energy sustainability, according to Erick, it can be done in cooperation with the UAE. Erick made his comments based on the current condition where Indonesia's oil import remains high. Erick added that Indonesia should just be a market.

Erick wanted that Indonesia can gain additional technology from large countries such as the UAE, especially in the energy field.

"We are not only cooperating in oil but also cooperating to explore renewable energy resources," Erick said.

Therefore, Erick said, one of the points of the meeting will be about the State Electricity Company (PLN) which is expected to transform with Masdar, a renewable energy company based in Abu Dhabi, UAE to develop solar energy in a number of regions in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, in the field of food sustainability, Erick asserted that cooperation with the UAE is a must because of the large market potential.

"Not only Indonesia and UAE, but the UAE is s distribution center for Africa and the Middle East. We want to make sure the standardization is good," Erick said.

Erick asserted that the food production sector remains as Indonesia's drawbacks compared to other neighboring countries. Through cooperation with the UAE, Erick is hoping to increase food production quality and secure Indonesia's need for foods.

"We make sure that the transformation in State-Owned Enterprises can continue so it can be balanced with Indonesia's national interest," Erick said.

HENDARTYO HANGGI