PRESIDENT INVITES FINNISH INVESTORS

Jakarta, April 27 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has invited Finnish investors to participate in a number of development programs in Indonesia.

"We invite Finnish investors to invest in Indonesia," President Yudhoyono said in a joint press conference with Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, at Merdeka Palace here Tuesday.

The head of state hoped that investments from Finland would increase significantly.

"Indonesia offers a more attractive chance," he said.

He said Indonesia was one of few countries which enjoyed positive economic growth during the global economic crisis with economic growth at 4.5 percent.

Meanwhile, Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen said he was accompanied by a number of businessmen during his three-day visit in Indonesia.

The Finnish government always encouraged the country's businessmen to invest in Asia, he said. Finland has a lot of experiences in renewable energy, telecommunication network and the forestry sector, he said.

President Yudhoyono and the first lady will host the Finnish Prime Minister and members of the Finnish delegation in a banquet
at the Presidential Palace, on Tuesday evening.

Some 112 Finnish companies have been engaged in 155 types of businesses with their Indonesian counterparts, among other things in exports, imports, productions, and technical products sale agents.

Among Finnish major companies in Indonesia are Nokia (telecommunication), Vaisala (navigation and meteorology), Kemira (chemical), Wartsila (factory and shipping turbines).

Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen is paying a three-day state visit in Indonesia, from April 26 to 28.

Vanhanen was greeted with a state ceremony at Merdeka Palace, at 10 am local time. His visit is to reciprocate President Yudhoyono's visit to Finland in September 2006.

Vanhanen is scheduled to also meet Vice President Boediono, House Speaker Marzuki Alie, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Radjasa and members of the Indonesian-Finnish business forum.

The Finnish prime minister's entourage includes business delegation chief Jarmo Honkamaa and Eeva Kalli, the prime minister's adviser for the European Union.