Bogor – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said Japan is ready to support the Indonesian government’s priority programmes, one of which is the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme.

Prabowo revealed that Japan has 80 years of experience with the free nutritious meal programme. Therefore, Japan is interested in helping Indonesia in the field of training.

‘And they are also interested in helping in the field of nutritious eating because they also have experience in that field for 80 years. And they are offering their initiative to help, maybe with training and so on,’ Mr Prabowo told a press conference after a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at Bogor Palace, West Java, Saturday (11/1).

Prabowo also expressed Japan’s interest in working together in the fields of food, industry, and maritime. He said the meeting was the start of good cooperation to realise the progress of the two countries.

‘I think so. I invite them to participate in cooperation in the food sector, in the maritime sector, in the energy sector, fisheries, and so on,’ he said.

Ishiba on the same occasion revealed that Southeast Asia is the centre of world development that has stable economic development. Thus, Japan wants to increase collaboration in this region, especially Indonesia, which is located at the confluence of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and leads the centre of economic development.

‘This visit to Indonesia is very useful and meaningful. Today’s open exchange of ideas with President Prabowo on a wide range of subjects has deepened the relationship of trust between us and Mr Prabowo,’ Mr Ishiba said.

He said Japan would like to accommodate Prabowo’s great desire to provide highly nutritious lunches for children in Indonesia.

‘Japan will organise cooperation packages including training of school lunch providers, dispatch of experts, and assistance in improving the fisheries and agriculture sectors by utilising Japan’s various experiences,’ Ishiba said. (RR)