Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 4 Feb.2013 – The President of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, received today Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali, Chairman of the Islamic Development Bank, along with the CEOs of the IDB Group, at the side line of the Saudi-Indonesian Business Forum which is being held today at the Hilton Hotel.
The President of Indonesia expressed during the meeting his appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for his support and help to Indonesia during the tidal wave of Tsunami which hit Indonesia in 2005 and to the King’s humanitarian and generous stand of sponsoring 6,000 orphans affected by the Tsunami.
Turning to the relationship that exists between the Republic of Indonesia and the IDB Group, President Susilo expressed his country’s appreciation for the commitment of the IDB Group to support the infrastructure and private sector development pillars in line with Indonesia’s development strategy in the Medium Term Development Plan 2010-2014.
President Susilo pointed out that the Indonesian economy is strong and has managed to pass the global financial crisis and invited the neighboring countries and the Arab and Muslim countries to invest in Indonesia in the areas of food security, energy, infrastructure and agriculture.
The President also underlined the commitment of Indonesia with the IDB Group to support the Flagship Programs indicated in the Grand Design and the Blueprint of Indonesia South-South and Triangular Cooperation particularly in the areas of agricultural productivity, Small-Scale Irrigation Networks and in land Fisheries.
Turning to the subject of sharing the Indonesian expertise with other IDB Group member countries, Dr. Susilo appreciated the role being played by the IDB Group to facilitate a technical exchange program between Indonesia and Nigeria on small scale irrigation development. The program involves training of Nigerian experts and technicians on small scale dams and irrigation networks in Indonesia.
The President welcomed the decision taken by the Islamic Development Bank Group to establish a Country Gateway Office in the Republic of Indonesia. The signing of the agreement for the establishment of the Gateway Office is expected on 28 February 2013 in Jakarta. The Gateway Office is to be responsible for expanding the business and following up the implementation of the IDB Group’s projects in Indonesia.

In turn, the IDB Group President expressed the Group’s appreciation for Indonesia’s decision to mark the city of Bandung as the City of Innovation and invited the member countries to capitalize on this opportunity. He also appreciated the support the Group is getting to implement its mandate and in particular the increase in the capital of IDB which has been called for by the OIC Islamic Summit in Makkah last year.
Dr. Ahmad Ali also underlined the Group keenness to enhance its support to the Government of Indonesia’s efforts in implementing the Master Plan for Acceleration and Expansion of Economic Development, with a focus on transportation, energy and public private partnerships.
The IDB Group has an overall portfolio of US$3,199 million in Indonesia comprising US$1,890 million of project financing, US$1,301 million of trade financing and US$8 million of technical and special assistance operations.