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Kadin to partner with Chinese investors for free meals program
Experts have raised concerns about the limited involvement of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in running the kitchens, despite the President's promise that the ambitious program would bolster local economies.
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Churning it out: A worker prepares meal packages for the free nutritious meal program on Feb. 12 at the kitchen of an Islamic boarding school in Kudus regency, Central Java. The free meals program kicked off on Jan. 13 with the first phase targeting more than 3,200 recipients in 17 schools across Kudus regency. (Antara/Yusuf Nugroho)
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he Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) is planning to collaborate with Chinese investors to establish kitchens and source raw ingredients for the government’s free nutritious meal program, which is expected to provide meals to around 83 million students nationwide by next year.
Kadin chairman Anindya Bakrie announced he had proposed a cooperation scheme for Chinese businesses to take part in the government’s free meals program through the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
"A number of Chinese businesses have shown interest in joining the program," Anindya said after attending a meeting between President Prabowo Subianto and China’s Premier Li Qiang at the State Palace on Sunday, as quoted by Antara.
He explained that he had invited Chinese businesses to invest in Kadin's plan to build 1,000 free-meals kitchens, commonly referred to as Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG), across the country.
"We have calculated the funds required to build and operate an SPPG, and Chinese investors could contribute either through investment packages or via Corporate Social Responsibility [CSR] initiatives," he added.
Earlier this month, Anindya announced that Kadin is preparing to launch 16 SPPGs in August as part of a pilot project to kick-start the goal of establishing 1,000 free-meals kitchens. These SPPGs will be constructed on land and properties owned by the pharmaceutical and cosmetics company, Tempo Scan.
The 16 kitchens will be located in several cities, including Bandung, Bekasi and Cirebon in West Java, Semarang and Tegal in Central Java, Surabaya in East Java, and Batam in the Riau Islands, with a total investment of Rp 17.7 billion (US$1.08 million).
