Indonesia Opens Wide for UAE Investors, Food Security Becomes New Investment Focus

The Indonesian government has assured full support for investors from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) seeking to expand their business activities in the country, including in strategic sectors related to national food security. This commitment emerged during a meeting between Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto and UAE Ambassador to Indonesia Abdulla Salem Al Dhaheri in Jakarta. During the meeting, the government stressed the importance of maintaining a conducive investment climate while providing business certainty for strategic investors already operating or planning to operate in Indonesia. Airlangga stated that Indonesia is open to investment development that adds value to the national economy, particularly supporting industrial downstreaming and strengthening domestic supply chains. “Indonesia welcomes the commitment of the UAE and global business players such as Louis Dreyfus Company to expand economic cooperation in Indonesia. We encourage increased investment that supports downstreaming, food security and strengthening national supply chains,” Airlangga said in his statement. In addition to supporting existing investors, the government also welcomed new investment commitments from the UAE focused on the food security sector. UAE Ambassador Abdulla Salem Al Dhaheri revealed that Abu Dhabi Export (ADEX) has expressed readiness to invest with the aim of strengthening national food security. The investment is seen as a strong signal of growing UAE confidence in the potential of Indonesia’s developing agribusiness and food sectors. The government views this commitment as a strategic step to strengthen national food supply while tightening long-term economic relations between the two countries. Indonesia also reaffirmed its support for the business continuity of UAE companies that have long operated domestically, including Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC), a global firm that has been active in Indonesia for around 25 years. According to Airlangga, the presence of foreign investors who consistently invest demonstrates the business world’s confidence in Indonesia’s economic prospects. Beyond the food sector, bilateral cooperation is also beginning to touch on strategic infrastructure development. During the meeting, Abu Dhabi Ports (ADP) expressed readiness to support the development of an airport in Bali through a feasibility study. The Indonesian and UAE governments agreed to maintain intensive communication so that the various investment commitments established can be realised promptly. The strengthened cooperation is expected to increase investment flows, bolster national food security, and accelerate the realisation of strategic projects supporting sustainable economic growth.