Indonesian envoy urges shipbuilder PAL to tap into Middle East market

Surabaya, East Java (ANTARA) - Indonesian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Judha Nugraha has called on state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL Indonesia to expand its defense market across the Middle East, leveraging surging bilateral economic ties.

Trade between the two nations grew 26 percent and UAE investments in Indonesia surged nearly 641 percent following the implementation of the Indonesia–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, officials said Tuesday.

"These economic achievements provide strong momentum to deepen broader cooperation, particularly in the maritime and defense industry sectors," Nugraha said in an official statement.

Nugraha noted that PT PAL’s engineering capabilities—demonstrated by its construction of the Al-Maryah Landing Platform Dock naval vessel for the UAE Navy—position the shipbuilder to secure broader defense contracts throughout the region.

PT PAL executives highlighted that international expansion relies heavily on diplomatic support to establish cross-border partnerships and connect domestic shipbuilders with foreign buyers.

"Through international partnerships, our objective is to expand market access while simultaneously upgrading domestic industrial capabilities," PT PAL Marketing Director Wiyono Komodjojo stated.

Company leadership added that global ventures drive knowledge transfer, advanced skill development, and technological integration, strengthening Indonesia’s defense manufacturing capabilities across ship design, production, and long-term maintenance services.

Translator: Astrid Habibah, Uyu Liman
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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