WNAM REPORT: The government of Indonesia’s Aceh Province engaged in a discussion with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador Abdulla Salem Al Dhaheri to follow up on his country’s plan to channel capital into Indonesia’s westernmost region.
“This meeting is a follow-up to the UAE ambassador’s visit to Aceh earlier. We spoke about the plan of the Aceh government to visit Abu Dhabi alongside prospective investors,” Aceh Deputy Governor Fadhlullah noted in an official statement received in Banda Aceh City on Friday.
During the meeting held in Jakarta on Thursday (April 17) night, the two delegations agreed that it is important to step up cooperation between Indonesia’s Aceh and the UAE, especially in projects focused on Islamic investments, tourism, and infrastructure development.
The deputy governor lauded the UAE government for its capitalist interest in funding a project called the Aceh Tamaddun Center, which aims to develop a special zone designed as a hub for activities associated with historical and religious tourism, education, and the creative economy.
“This project is expected to be a symbol of synergy between the Islamic values we adhere to and our vision of regional progress. We are convinced that the UAE can be a strategic partner in executing this idea,” he affirmed.
According to Fadhlullah, Aceh Province is well-positioned to welcome and facilitate foreign investments in the development of halal industries, special economic zones, and cultural tourism.
“We hope that this meeting will soon pave the way for concrete collaborative initiatives and intensify talks about investment with Abu Dhabi,” he remarked.
In mid-March 2025, Ambassador Al Dhaheri led the UAE-based company Mubadala Energy’s president on a three-day visit to Aceh to explore oil and gas, tourism, and toll road investment opportunities.
Mubadala Energy has been actively involved in gas discovery projects around the Tangkulo-1 gas well in the south of the Andaman Sea.
