Anindya Bakrie: Tajikistan Could Serve as a Gateway for Indonesia’s Palm Oil and Green Aluminum Exports to Europe

JAKARTA, investortrust.id - Anindya Bakrie states that Tajikistan, a Central Asian nation, offers a practical solution for exporting Indonesian palm oil and environmentally friendly aluminum to European markets. He highlights how strict European regulations on palm oil could be overcome by using Tajikistan as an export gateway, making it a beneficial collaboration for both countries.

Bakrie, who served as chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry(Kadin), made these remarks on Thursday, Mar 6, 2025, when he hosted the Tajikistan Ambassador, Ardasher Qodiri, in Jakarta. He explained that Europe has imposed various stringent requirements on palm oil imports, whereas Tajikistan did not face such barriers, allowing for smoother access to the continent’s consumer base.

Bakrie stressed that Tajikistan could act as a hub for distributing Indonesian palm oil to Europe. By leveraging the Central Asian country’s unencumbered export status, Indonesia’s palm oil shipments stood a better chance of navigating Europe’s strict regulations.

“Tajikistan could be the answer to our export challenges to Europe. They do not have the same regulatory constraints we face, making this a win-win solution for both countries,” Bakrie said during the meeting.

In addition to palm oil, the two parties viewed green aluminum cooperation as another promising avenue. Tajikistan generated 98% of its energy from hydropower, enabling low-carbon aluminum production that was more acceptable to global markets. Bakrie mentioned that Indonesia could supply raw materials such as bauxite and alumina, while Tajikistan processed them into green aluminum for export to Europe.

Besides trade in commodities, the potential partnership also extended to financial and logistics sectors. Tajikistan had been revamping its financial sector, creating expansion opportunities for Indonesian banks and financial institutions.

On the logistics front, developing a strategic hub in Tajikistan might reinforce supply chains across Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and Europe. Bakrie pointed out that this kind of synergy could bolster trade flows on a broader regional scale.

“Essentially, the meeting looked at how Tajikistan could be our partner in Central Asia to reach nearby markets and also European ones,” Bakrie concluded.