VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita invited the Chinese government to cooperate in the nation's pharmaceutical industry and bioprospecting green industry.

The offer was extended by the minister during a meeting with the Chinese Minister of Industry and Information Technology, Jin Zhuanglong, during a working visit to Shenzhen, China on Tuesday.

"The Indonesian health system is one of the biggest in the world, reaching 240 million population with turnover value of US$40 billion," he informed in a statement released on Thursday.

"Because of this, pharmaceutical industry structure deepening is very important to be done," he said.

Indonesia expects the development of investment from China in medicinal raw materials in addition to paracetamol. This is because medicinal raw materials have not been explored, causing Indonesia to rely on imports.

Another cooperation that Indonesia has offered involves the development of a green industry that prioritizes efficiency and effectiveness in the sustainable use of resources.

According to the minister, green industry is also important given the rising market demand for green products and regulations related to sustainable practices in the global market.

These regulations include ecolabel, carbon tax, carbon border adjustment mechanism, environmental management system, or other certificates that ensure resource legality.

In this case, the minister said he expects that Indonesia and China will cooperate to develop green products through the bioprospecting industry, which processes biological resources, including plants, microorganisms, and animals.

"One of the potential resources for this industry that Indonesia has are seaweed and microalgae, which can be processed into bio(-based) product raw materials, including for bioplastic, biofuels, and fertilizers," he added.

The minister said he expects to immediately discuss this and produce a binding agreement with China on manufacturing development in the two countries. (Antaranews)