According to a statement from Susanto received in Jakarta on Wednesday, the food security program is important in supporting economic growth in rural areas by continuing to maintain stable food prices, which in turn will help create jobs for villagers in the agricultural sector in the future.
"Since being inaugurated as Mendes PDT by President Prabowo, I have been assigned one of the tasks of focusing on food security. Perhaps, this is something we can collaborate on with the UAE Government as our friendly country," Mendes PDT stated in a meeting with the UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia at his residence, Jakarta, on July 1, 2025.
In addition, Susanto encouraged the UAE Government to work together with the Indonesian government to help villages in Indonesia realize their potential and access the global market.
He noted that access to the global market would allow local superior products, such as agricultural goods, to reach consumers around the world. This can potentially increase village incomes, create new jobs, and encourage the development of quality infrastructure.
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"Yesterday, we just came from Malang, East Java. There are thousands of villages there whose potential is underexplored in the international market. Perhaps, the UAE Government can help us in that sector," he remarked.
Meanwhile, the UAE Ambassador to Indonesia Abdulla Salem Al-Dhaheri stated that bilateral relations between the two countries had always been positive. He highlighted that this was demonstrated when UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited Indonesia shortly after Prabowo Subianto was inaugurated as President of the Republic of Indonesia.
He also noted that overall, the Indonesia-UAE bilateral relations showed a positive trend, with both countries committed to strengthening cooperation in various strategic sectors, especially food security and sustainable economic transformation.
The UAE's relationship with Indonesia is very close. This was also strengthened by the arrival of our President to Indonesia some time ago, which made the bilateral relations between the two countries even closer and warmer until now, Abdulla Salem stated.
He expressed hope that Indonesia's food security would reach villages in remote areas across the country.
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Translator: Arie Novarina
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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