Japanese Firms Interested In Making Investments In Indonesia: Vice-President

Tokyo, Mar 13 (Antara) - Indonesian Vice-President Jusuf Kalla said several Japanese companies are highly interested in making investments in Indonesia. "Today, we met with the CEOs of several giant companies from Japan," Kalla stated after meeting with the leaders of several corporations here on Friday. At the meeting, Kalla was accompanied by Industrial Minister Saleh Husin, Chief of the Investment Coordinating Board Franky Sibarani, and Chairman of the Vice-President's Expert Team Sofjan Wanandi. Among the major business heads who met with Kalla were Chairman of Inpex Corporation Naoki Kuroda, President Representative Director of Tokyo Gas Michiaki Hirose, and Vice-President of Mitsui Shintaro Ambe. According to Kalla, the level of interest shown by Japanese companies to make investments in Indonesia was high, considering that Japanese corporations were ranked as the second largest investor in the country. Japan's economic activity has also been encouraging for the country to make larger investments in several regions, particularly in South East Asia, including Indonesia. "Japanese business heads at the meeting were delighted at the investment prospects; they just need smoother bureaucratic processes," Kalla observed, adding that the business heads mostly discussed power source and gas and seaport facilities. Kalla remarked that Japanese infrastructure investments in Indonesia were mostly centered in provinces, besides Java Island. And their investments in the manufacturing industry was mostly located in Java Island. Meanwhile, Minister Saleh noted that Japan had investment presence in many sectors, including automotive, energy, and electricity. The total value of Japanese investment in Indonesia was measured at USD2.7 billion in 2014. Last year, Japanese corporations increased their investment projects to 1,200. The Japanese Government has been optimistic about increasing its cooperation with Indonesia, particularly in maritime and infrastructure development, as well as increasing Indonesian exports to Japan.