Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto received a visit from Russia's Sistema Group, accompanied by Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Sergei Gennadievich Tolchenov, at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday.

The meeting discussed potential cooperation, ranging from the pharmaceutical industry to the development of electric passenger ships.

Minister of Investment and Downstream Danantara Rosan Roeslani said the discussion was a follow-up to the government’s working visit to St. Petersburg, Russia, in June.

"This is a follow-up to the meeting in St. Petersburg in June. We follow up on several matters," he said.

In the healthcare sector, the Sistema Group operates a network of 160 hospitals and is one of Russia’s largest pharmaceutical and patent companies.

Roeslani said the group had held initial meetings with pharmaceutical firms Biofarma and Kimia Farma in Bandung, West Java, and would continue exploring collaborative opportunities.

He expressed hope that such cooperation could help lower drug prices in Indonesia, which remain relatively high compared to other countries.

"We hope this collaboration can reduce drug prices in Indonesia, which are still relatively high compared to other countries," he remarked.

The meeting also reviewed prospects for developing electric passenger ships with a capacity of around 100 to 200 passengers for inter-island services.

The Sistema Group, which is active in Russia’s shipbuilding industry, has expressed interest in establishing an electric vessel manufacturing facility in Indonesia, including possible cooperation with PT PAL.

Roeslani added that the conglomerate is also looking into opportunities in the hospitality sector, supported by its large hotel portfolio in Russia. The company has shown interest in collaborating on hotel management in Indonesia.

In the education sector, the Sistema Group plans to send teachers to support Russian language programs at several universities in Indonesia.

He said the meeting was also attended by the President’s Special Envoy for Climate and Energy, Hashim Djojohadikusumo, and that discussions touched on potential additional cooperation, including in the pulp and paper industry.

Regarding investment value, Roeslani explained that no figure has been determined yet, as the discussions remain at an early stage.

He added that the Sistema Group is currently processing necessary permits, including those from the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM).

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Translator: Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Primayanti
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