Indonesia Promotes Infrastructure Projects To Chinese Investors

Jakarta, May 15 (Antara) -- The Indonesian Embassy in China and the Investment Coordinating Board have promoted several infrastructure development projects to Chinese investors in Beijing. The promotion, which was attended by 100 investors in the fields of infrastructure and electricity, was carried out during the Market Sounding PPP Infrastructure Projects event in Beijing last Wednesday. According to the press release received by Antara here on Friday, the Investment Coordinating Board promoted four projects based on the Government-Private Cooperation scheme, and three other projects, including the development of toll roads, seaports and power generators, based on the Independent Power Producer scheme. There were several parties that promoted the projects, including the Toll Road Management Agency, the Ministry of Transportation, and the State Electricity Company. According to Indonesian Ambassador to China Soegeng Rahardjo, the success of the economy of any country depends on developments in its infrastructure sector that acts as the chief booster of economic growth. Therefore, the Indonesian government under President Joko Widodo's leadership prioritizes infrastructural development to achieve 7 to 8 percent economic growth by 2017-2019. Rahardjo added that Indonesia needs support and assistance from Chinese investors to develop infrastructure. Moreover, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Keqiang have vowed to assist infrastructural development in Indonesia, which will be followed up by Chinese investors. To attract investors to join infrastructural development projects, the Indonesian government has provided them with facilities and incentives, as well as an improving business climate in the country. In addition, Deputy for Investment Planning of the Investment Coordinating Board Tamba Hutapea noted that Indonesia offered a sustainable investment climate for foreign investors. As an economic developing country, the condition of investments in Indonesia always shows positive growth. Chinese investments in Indonesia progressed significantly, as was evident in the first quarter of 2015 when China was ranked the tenth largest investor in Indonesia. Furthermore, the ambassador hopes that the next total investment from China will rise considerably, following the implementation of new infrastructure projects in which the Chinese investors have expertise. Indonesia plans to build several infrastructure facilities in the next five years, such as 1,000 kilometers of toll roads, 3,200 kilometers of railway networks, 15 airports, 24 seaports, eight special economic zones, 14 industrial areas, and power generators with a capacity of 35 gigawatts.