North Korea Interested In Indonesia's Investment Model

Jakarta, May 15 (ANTARA) - North Korea is interested to study the foreign investment model of Indonesia and has sought cooperation in the area, according to Indonesia`s foreign minister Marty Natalegawa. He made the statement here on Tuesday at a press conference at the presidential office after accompanying President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to a meeting with President of the Presidium of North Korea`s Supreme People`s Assembly Kim Yong Nam at the Merdeka Palace. Marty said the issue was one of the topics discussed by the two leaders in their second bilateral meeting yet. "They are interested in how Indonesia arranges foreign investment," he noted. Marty said North Korea`s interest to cooperate with Indonesia in the field could lead to increased cooperation between the two nations and consequently enhance North Korea`s confidence in cooperating with other countries. "The two countries are still at the stage of exploring and studying the investment model. Based on the two countries` data, there are still a lot of economic opportunities for increased cooperation. Therefore, exploration is still being made not only about investment but also the framework," he explained. "President Kim Yong Nam especially refers to cooperation in the field of traditional medicines. President Yudhoyono has also underlined the need to improve cooperation in the field," Marty said. "Focus indeed is put on increasing the two countries` economic cooperation. Before the arrival of the North Korean president in Indonesia, officials of both countries had already discussed issues relating to investment cooperation and North Korea`s interest in Indonesia`s foreign investment model," he added. Marty said President Yudhoyono had also asked coordinating minister for economic affairs Hatta Rajasa, trade minister Gita Wirjawan, and industry minister MS Hidayat to explore cooperation possibilities between the two countries.