Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto expressed support for economic synergy between Indonesia and Brazil through the Indonesia–Brazil Business Forum at Copacabana Palace, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Sunday (November 17) local time.

In a statement from the Cabinet's Secretariat received here on Monday, the president stated that Indonesia and Brazil have numerous similarities, which can create sound synergy between the two countries.

"We have big resources. Brazil is quite advanced in its industries. We are trying to catch up. We want to industrialize," he remarked at the meeting.

Prabowo noted that Brazil is a leading member of the BRICS, adding that Indonesia is already committed to becoming a member of the grouping.

Furthermore, the president highlighted that Indonesia can take cues from Brazil on several matters, including one of the programs related to food security, which is the main foundation of a country's development.

Prabowo emphasized the program of providing free food for Indonesian children as a priority of his government and will also study Brazil's success in a similar program.

The president also spoke of having instructed his team to organize further cooperation with the Brazilian ambassador in Indonesia.

President Prabowo highlighted the huge opportunities for cooperation with Brazil in the energy sector, especially in developing biofuels and renewable energy.

Indonesia is seeking to increase the use of biodiesel to 50 percent by 2025, using palm oil as the main raw material.

Furthermore, President Prabowo stated that Indonesia has the world's second- or third-largest fishery reserves in the maritime sector, albeit it lacks 40 thousand fishing vessels with a 150-300 GT capacity.

Prabowo also invited Brazilian business players to invest in this sector while concurrently supporting Indonesia's natural resource downstreaming program.

At the end of his speech, he underlined Indonesia's commitment to creating a positive and open business climate for foreign investment.

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Translator: Livia Kristianti, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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