Government Opens Opportunities for Cooperation on Waste Processing Projects with NU

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa stated that the government is open to cooperation with the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU) for waste processing projects that yield economic value. He cited examples of products that could be produced from waste, such as fertiliser, building materials, and printed circuit boards (PCB). “We discussed several projects from NU that the government could potentially support because their objectives are good, one of which is processing waste into fertiliser to improve soil health and into building materials or boards for electricity,” Purbaya said after meeting with PBNU Chairman Yahya Cholil Staquf, familiarly known as Gus Yahya, in Jakarta on Wednesday. According to Purbaya, the project could have a broader impact if it receives government support and establishes cooperation with other countries. “It is clearly a good initiative, working with a foreign country. So if the government can assist with that, I think it would be excellent so the project can run more smoothly,” he added. During the audience, Gus Yahya consulted with the Finance Minister regarding PBNU’s business investment opportunities with various international entities. “We will study the investment ideas. If they can proceed according to the existing pattern and the risks are manageable, we will support what NU has initiated,” Purbaya said. Meanwhile, Gus Yahya noted that the meeting also discussed potential collaboration on other national agendas. “We discussed many things, the essence of which is that NU has an organisational network that we can offer as a channel to deliver the government’s national agendas to the community,” Gus Yahya said. He revealed that collaboration between PBNU and the Government of Indonesia has been ongoing since late 2022, with measurable results through various programmes such as the Gerakan Keluarga Maslahat and others. “We consulted with the Finance Minister regarding regulations, channels we need to access, and the norms that must be followed in investment matters,” he said. Gus Yahya stressed that everything PBNU does in this regard is for the benefit of the people and the state. “Alhamdulillah, the Minister has opened himself to assisting NU in this matter, because whatever NU undertakes has no other purpose than to help the state and the community,” the PBNU Chairman said. He expressed hope that this would be well received alongside various other government initiatives aimed at improving public welfare.