Gorontalo and UAE Explore Investment Partnerships

RRI.CO.ID, Gorontalo - Expanding bilateral economic ties into Eastern Indonesia, United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador to Indonesia Abdulla Salem Aldhaheri has expressed full readiness to process investment proposals from the Gorontalo Provincial Administration, specifically targeting agromaritime development, labor-intensive coconut processing, and strategic regional infrastructure.

Speaking at an official welcome dinner hosted by Gorontalo Governor Gusnar Ismail at the Governor's Official Residence on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, Abdulla highlighted the 50-year diplomatic relationship between the UAE and Indonesia, spanning aviation, ports, oil and gas, education, and renewable energy, while identifying Gorontalo's agromaritime sector as a vital economic driver.

Earlier in the day, the delegation inspected coconut processing facilities at PT Royal Coconut in Ombulo Village, Limboto Barat Subdistrict. Addressing the factory's daily processing capacity of 400 tons of raw coconuts, yielding coconut water, milk, oil, and desiccated coconut powder, Abdulla offered to connect Emirati capital and investors with local businesses to boost supply-chain capacity and downstream processing.

Beyond industrial trade, Gusnar expressed hope that partnership discussions would support the development of the Gorontalo Islamic Center (GIC). The governor envisioned constructing a grand UAE-supported landmark mosque to serve eastern Indonesia, drawing parallels to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Surakarta, Central Java.

Diplomatic representatives and provincial leadership affirmed that connecting foreign capital with local processing industries will accelerate regional economic growth and industrial downstreaming. He invited provincial authorities and private executives to submit structured development proposals to Emirati investors.

"We are ready to receive cooperation proposals, particularly for sectors that carry distinct priorities for the development of Gorontalo Province, we want to connect investors from the United Arab Emirates with ventures like this. Earlier, details were explained regarding production capacity as well as obstacles in raw material supply; if common ground can be found between Emirati investors, local entrepreneurs, and the provincial administration, it will form a very strong partnership to execute," he said in Gorontalo on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, as quoted by Infopublik.id.

He also extended a personal invitation to the provincial leadership. "We emphasize once again, sir, we invite you to come to Jakarta, and this is an invitation to be answered by you directly as Governor," Ambassador Aldhaheri added.

Gorontalo Governor Gusnar Ismail expressed gratitude for the diplomatic visit, noting the strategic role the UAE plays in global trade and energy transformation.

"Earlier today we inspected one of the coconut industries in Gorontalo, and hopefully this opens the path for our future cooperation, The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Solo serves as the United Arab Emirates mosque for western Indonesia, whereas the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Gorontalo could become the landmark mosque for eastern Indonesia," Gusnar expressed.

PT Royal Coconut Director Jefri Yakobus welcomed potential capital connectivity to strengthen raw material supply chains alongside regional land expansion plans.

"In essence, we are very welcoming, although products we offer like coconut oil in the Middle East, specifically in the United Arab Emirates, are currently supplied from India. However, regarding further cooperation, we will follow up with the provincial administration. The ambassador is also very welcoming toward labor-intensive and downstream processing industries. The governor has repeatedly emphasized that we must continue developing industrial downstreaming," Jefri noted. ***