Political Situation In Indonesia Good: VP

Tokyo, March 13 (Antara) - Vice-President Jusuf Kalla assured Japanese businessmen here on Friday that political situation in Indonesia has been good. "I can guarantee that political situation in Indonesia has been very good compared to that in other countries," he said after meeting with a number of Japanese company leaders. The meeting was also attended by Indonesian Minister for Industry Saleh Husin, head of Investment Coordinating Board Franky Sibarani, and head of the Vice-President's expert team Sofyan Wanandi. Japanese business leaders at the meeting included chairman of Inpex Corporation Naoki Kuroda, President Representative Director of Tokyo Gas Michiaki Hirose, and executive vice-president of Mitsui Shintaro Ambe. Kalla later noted that the Japanese business leaders asked about the guarantee of the sustainability of their investments in Indonesia. He stated that the Indonesian Government will build 35,000-megawatt plants in various regions. Kalla remarked that following the appreciation of the US dollar against the Japanese yen, he hoped Japanese businessmen will invest in or buy more from Indonesia. "Now, investing in Indonesia has become cheaper, so more Japanese companies are coming in," he added. The rupiah's depreciation, which reached Rp13,200, against the US dollar, which is still considered normal, may benefit exporters besides increasing investments in the country. "The appreciation of the dollar up to a certain level is not a problem, but what is important is how to maintain investment conditions well," the deputy chairman for the financial, investment, and banking affairs of the Jakarta chapter of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Irwan Hutasoit, said during a press conference held on the sidelines of a seminar on "Merger and Acquisition Investment Conference 2015" in Jakarta on Thursday. According to Irwan, if the government produces policies in favor of businesses, the rupiah's depreciation will not last long. "Indonesia still remains the destination of global investors. Our economic fundamentals are good and our domestic market is huge; therefore, investors continue to compete to enter Indonesia," he explained. He noted that breakthroughs with regard to funding, finding strategic partners, developing joint venture companies, and finding capital market consultants are needed to develop businesses at home. In view of that, the Jakarta chapter of Kadin in cooperation with Naxel IPartner will hold Investment Conference 2015 on March 26-27 in Jakarta. Some 45 business members of Globalscope, a network of finance consultants and investments, from 34 countries will attend the event.