Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia should establish closer bilateral cooperation with other countries, including the UAE, for post-pandemic recovery, said Indonesian Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan.

The statement was given after the official and Indonesian Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir visited the UAE on December 7 and 8.

During the working trip, they met with Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Saudi Arabia’s Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih, and Saudi Arabia’s Finance Minister Ibrahim Abdulaziz Al-Assaf.

The visit aimed at strengthening strategic relations in the field of investment and economics, especially after the pandemic.

The Indonesian side hoped to see the participation of UAE and Saudi Arabia in Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund and government projects, including investments in the establishment of Sharia banks in Indonesia.

The arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine has brought good news in the economic sector, but without real cooperation in investment and economy, Indonesia may not reach optimal economic recovery, said Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan./.