Japanese companies interested in Indonesia's projects

JAKARTA, Feb. 16 — Japanese companies have shown interest in investing in infrastructure projects in Indonesia by developing economic centers and metropolitan priority areas (MPAs), the Jakarta Post quoted officials as saying on Wednesday.

Chairman of Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Yonekura Hiromasa said that a visiting delegation had met with Indonesian government officials to discuss the possible involvement of Japanese investors.

"We talked a lot about how the two things can be developed in an effective way," he said after meeting Industry Minister MS Hidayat in Jakarta.

Yonekura and a number of representatives from large Japanese companies were in Indonesia on a six-day regional trip that began on Sunday. The delegates will also visit Thailand and Singapore.

He said Japan wants to contribute to the economic development of Asia and considers Indonesia as one of its most important partners.

"Japan and Indonesia have had a long economic cooperation," he said.

In more than 50 years of bilateral relations, Indonesia has been one of Japan's most important business partners.

Minister Hidayat said the government expected Japanese businesses to invest in infrastructure projects at Indonesia's industrial clusters.

Under a newly launched economic master plan, the government aims to accelerate economic growth by developing regions according to their own unique potential.

Hidayat added the government also wanted Japanese investors to take part in the development of infrastructure in Greater Jakarta and its surrounding areas, such as Cikarang and Karawang in West Java.

The Japan Bank for International Cooperation data shows that Indonesia has been one of the favorite destinations of Japanese foreign direct investment (FDI).

In 1997, for example, Indonesia ranked third among Japan's FDI destinations, although the rank had slid since then. Indonesia's position now stands as the sixth most preferred destination for Japanese FDI. (PNA/Xinhua)

DCT/vcs/utb

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