India Seeks To Finance Investments In Idonesia

Jakarta, June 20 (ANTARA) - The Indian government is seeking to increase investment in Indonesia and is willing to provide support, such as assistance or financing programs, according to an official. "A funding scheme can be done through public-private partnerships and also by direct investment," vice presidential spokesman Yopie Hidayat said here on Wednesday. According to Yopie, a meeting with Indian Ambassador for Indonesia Gurjit Singh and Indonesian Vice President Boediono was held on Wednesday morning. India wants to increase investment in Indonesia, especially in the field of steam power plants, manufacturing, steel, and aluminum smelters, according to Yopie. "That was what the ambassador conveyed-- that India wanted to deliver financial support to fund investments in those fields and open up the possibility of full support in the form of assistance or software or other financing schemes," said Yopie. Ambassador Singh, he added, is also concerned about the willingness of young Indonesians to more closely work with young people in India in the context of human relationships, or "people to people" programs. Yopie also said that Singh believes the relationship between the two countries should be closer because they have a long historical relationship. "Increasing youth relationships can be done through a business forum between the two countries," he said. Responding to India`s ambassador, the Vice President welcomed the suggestions, while saying that the bond between the two countries should be closer, based upon their long history of friendship.