Malaysia and Singapore have been faster than Indonesia in accessing funds from the Middle East."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian government should utilize the upcoming visit of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud to access funds for infrastructure development, according to the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI).
"In the context of Indonesia, which is building its infrastructure, Saudi Arabia can serve as an entry point for accessing unlimited funds in the Middle East," HIPMI Chairman Bahlil Lahadalia stated here on Monday.
The HIPMI chairman noted that the Indonesian government required huge funding to build infrastructure.
In addition to the state budget, the government has been utilizing non-state budget infrastructure funding (PINA).
Through PINAs scheme, the government can optimize financing sources in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia, as the region has immense funding potential.
Lahadalia said that investment funds from the Middle East will come at a high cost, as they had been previously invested in Malaysia and Singapore.
"Malaysia and Singapore have been faster than Indonesia in accessing funds from the Middle East," Lahadalia remarked.
Hence, the Indonesian government should utilize the visit of the Saudi King to Indonesia.
Vice President M. Jusuf Kalla had earlier said he will express Indonesias readiness to offer several opportunities to invest in the countrys non-oil and gas sector to the Saudi King during his visit to the country on Mar 1-9.
"The move will be in line with the Saudi governments vision for 2030, which envisages increasing international non-oil and gas investment," he stated at the Vice Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Friday.
He pointed out that the Indonesian government is prepared to make some interesting offers that Saudi Arabia can explore, as it is keen to invest in several sectors, including banking and tourism.
"Most of their investments are made in western countries and some in the neighboring regions, as also in Africa. Indonesia, as a big country, would surely like to intensify such form of cooperation," he underlined.
Kalla added that the partnership between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia focuses more on religious, educational, and social affairs.
"Economic partnership is not as big a part in the ties," he remarked.
(Uu.A063/INE/KR-BSR/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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