Indonesia's Partnerships with Denmark & the United Kingdom
Indonesia's Agriculture Minister signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the government of Denmark for investment into Indonesia's corn and sugar plantations as well as the cattle industry. Based on the words of Indonesian Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman it involves total Danish investment of at least IDR 2 trillion (approx. USD $152 million) for a period of five years. The deal involves the transfer of Danish agricultural technology, while Indonesia's part of the deal is to provide two million hectares of land. Meanwhile, Indonesia also plans to reaffirm its partnership with the UK in the creative economy industry.
Denmark-Indonesia Partnership in the Cattle, Corn & Sugar Plantation Industries
Indonesian President Joko Widodo already approved the preparation of two million hectares of land in Southeast Sulawesi, Kalimantan, West Nusa Tenggara, and East Nusa Tenggara for the partnership with Denmark. One million hectares of land will be used for live cattle, while the remaining one million hectares of land is to be divided equally for corn and sugarcane plantations development.
Indonesian Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman and Denmark's Food and Agriculture Minister Esben Lunde Larsen signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that aims to increase trade and investment between both countries, facilitate the sharing of knowledge and experience on food security that will enhance productivity and efficiency in the agricultural sector in a sustainable manner.
Danish Minister Larsen also plans to meet Indonesian Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya, Indonesian Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pujiastuti, and Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) during his visit to Indonesia.
United Kingdom-Indonesia Partnership in the Creative Economy Industry
Indonesia is also set to reaffirm a partnership with the United Kingdom (UK) in the creative economy industry. Initially the five-year partnership was agreed upon in October 2012 under the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono administration. President Widodo is scheduled to visit Great Britain on 19-20 April 2016 to sign the amended MoU.
The partnership involves cooperation and knowledge sharing in 16 sectors within the creative economy industry: art, fashion, film, music, digital development, craft, culinary, architecture, advertising, animation & video, interior design, literature &publishing, photography, visual communication design, product design, and television & radio.
Triawan Munaf, Head of Indonesia's Creative Economy Agency, said it is important for Indonesia to learn more about how to monetize the culture in order to boost people's welfare. The Indonesian government is therefore eager to learn about various financing models in this industry.
Adam Pushkin, Director of Arts and Creative Industries of the British Council in Indonesia, said - with 255 million people, most of whom under the age of 30 years - Indonesia has a huge and young population; this implies an enormous potential for creative talent, particularly in digital development.