JAKARTA – Egyptian Ambassador to Indonesia, Ashraf Mohamed Moguib Sultan asked Indonesia to develop a palm oil plant in the area around Suez Canal.

The Ambassador presented the proposal during a meeting with Indonesia’s Vice President Ma’ruf Amin at the official residence of the vice president in Jalan Diponegoro No.2, Jakarta, recently.

The Vice President’s Spokesman Masduki Baidlowi said that the proposal is part of their discussions to strengthen cooperation between the two countries, especially in trading the top commodity of palm oil.

“The vice president has also stated that both countries will increase bilateral cooperation on trade. It is particularly concerned with palm oil, which is Indonesia’s top product, with a view to getting lower tariff from the government of Egypt,” said Masduki on Wednesday, 05 October 2022.

Masduki pointed out that Ambassador Ashraf will coordinate the issue with Egyptian trade minister. “Egyptian Ambassador has stated that he will coordinate the issue with the trade minister of Egypt,” he said.

But he said that the Egyptian Ambassador had also proposed to the government of Indonesia to develop a palm oil factory around the Suez canal. But he did not elaborate about the palm oil factory, whether it is a palm oil processing plant (mill) or a downstream palm oil plant. But he noted that it is promising, considering that the Suez canal is the busiest trading route in the world.

“There is an interesting proposal from the Egyptian Ambassador. He proposed that the Indonesian government, through the state-owned companies (BUMN) or private companies, develop palm oil plant in Suez canal. Vice President Ma’aruf Amin has warmly welcomed the proposal, saying that he will coordinate it with related ministries and institutions, including the ministry of BUMN,” said Masduki. (*)

Source: economy.okezone.com