Amran paves way for State-Owned Enterprises to manage national soybean reserves

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) and Minister of Agriculture, Andi Amram Sulaiman, is paving the way for State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) interested in managing national soybean reserves to strengthen supply, maintain price stability, and support food security.

Amran stated that the government is prepared to provide space for SOEs to manage national soybean reserves in accordance with applicable regulatory provisions.

“If there are SOEs interested, I will provide (the recommendation for managing soybean reserves),” said Amran, when met following a meeting in Jakarta on Tuesday.

This statement was made by Amran in response to media inquiries regarding the necessity of national soybean reserves, given that current supplies remain dependent on imports, which impacts domestic price formation.

“It should be SOEs. Not me, it should be SOEs (that manage the soybean reserves),” he remarked.

He emphasised that the government will not obstruct any SOE interested in undertaking the task of managing soybean reserves as part of the effort to strengthen national food security.

Nevertheless, Amran stressed that the implementation of such tasks must still adhere to regulatory provisions to ensure that the management of soybean reserves is transparent, accountable, and within the government’s authority.

“It depends on the regulations. We must look at the regulations,” Amran added.