"In terms of technology, they are advanced. We wish to cooperate with Scandinavian companies because they have good work ethics," Indonesian State Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno said.
Copenhagen (ANTARA News) - Indonesia, through its Ministry of State Enterprises, is encouraging domestic companies to cooperate with firms in Scandinavian countries in sectors such as energy and fisheries.

"In terms of technology, they are advanced. We wish to cooperate with Scandinavian companies because they have good work ethics," Indonesian State Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno said on the sidelines of her visit to several European countries here on Monday.

She noted that the big companies had so far been reluctant to enter and establish cooperation with companies in Indonesia since companies in Indonesia were in dire straits.

However, conditions have changed and Indonesian state-owned companies (BUMN) are now more transparent and professional. Besides, they are also supported by a more caring government.

"Some firms in the past had said they would not enter Indonesia because of the issue of middlemen and others. Now I can assure them that the BUMNs have become transparent and professional and there are no such issues," she added.

Minister Rini has visited Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark. She has met with representatives of the government and several big companies operating in various sectors.

She said one of the attractive businesses was salmon fish farming using modern technology that Norway has.

Minister Rini visited the Salman Fish Farm in Froya, Norway, last week. "We can later try to have cooperation in kerapu fish farming in Indonesia," she hoped.

Minister Rini also visited StatOil to discuss possible cooperation in deep sea oil drilling and also Statkraft, a seeded company in the renewable energy sector, especially hydropower.

In Sweden, she met with representatives from Sweaskog, and discussed the feasibility of producing biomass-free electricity through forest management.

She also met with representatives from Bofors and Saab to discuss cooperation possibilities in the production of defense equipment.

In Finland, Minister Rini met with the Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkanen and also visited online game developer SuperCell, Nokia, and other investors.

Denmark was the last country on her itinerary where she met with the Danish Minister of Energy, Utility and Climate, Lars Christian Lilleholt, and representatives from companies and investors to discuss trade and investment potential.

While in Denmark, a power purchase agreement was signed between Indonesias state-owned electricity company PT PLN and a group of international investors, in cooperation with Vestas Wind System. (*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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