"The cooperation is made on the basis of sharing information between private sectors and the government. We involve 14 multinational companies in this cooperation where each of the companies will work together with the government and local farmers in a project that will increase the production of particular agricultural products," Hatta made the statement after attending the World Economic Forum on East Asia at Shangrila Hotel, Jakarta.
The 14 multinational companies involved in the program included Nestle, Sinarmas Group, Indofood, Dupont, Kraft, Sygenta, Cargill and Astra International.
He said the cooperation between the government, the 14 multinational companies and the farmers is expected to increase national agricultural production by 20 percent, reduce gas emissions by 20 percent and reduce poverty also by 20 percent. He welcomed the initiative for the cooperation saying that agriculture was an important sector for Indonesia.
On the same occasion, Indonesian Deputy Minister for Agriculture Bayu Khrisnamurthi said the WEF decided to cooperate with Indonesia for several reasons namely its enormous natural resources, economic potential as Indonesia has a population of 240 million, and the country`s role in the global community in which Indonesia is currently member of G20 and also Chairman of ASEAN.
He said the framework of cooperation with WEF members would be formed in the next three years with progress being reported once in every six months.
He also said the form of the cooperation program with local farmers would be adjusted to each multinational companies` interest. For example, Nestle had stated commitment to work with cocoa farmer in West Java to increase production of cocoa that would support production of Milo (Nestle`s brand for chocolate milk).
Meanwhile, representative from Sinarmas Group Franky Oesman Widjaja said his company would focus on project involving efforts to help local farmers increasing the production of CPO.
The World Economic Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.
Incorporated as a not-for-profit foundation in 1971, and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the Forum is tied to no political, partisan or national interests.
Forum members are companies that are driving the world economy forward. The typical member company is a global enterprise with more than US$ 5 billion in turnover, although this varies by industry and region.
(T.A051/H-NG/A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
