Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan has invited investors from the People`s Republic of China to increase their investment in Indonesia.

"There has been significant progress and greater convenience for foreign parties to invest in Indonesia where high and stable economic growth has been maintained," Panjaitan remarked at the Indonesia-China Five-Year Strategic and Comprehensive Cooperation Seminar here on Tuesday.

He said Indonesia has a huge potential market, and the government at this time has also been focusing on developing progressive infrastructure.

In addition to focusing on infrastructure, the coordinating minister for maritime affairs highlighted the village fund programs, development of special economic zones, and improved RI global investment ratings, among others.

Based on data, investment from China as well as Hong Kong in Indonesia had reached some US$5.5 billion in 2017, or some 17 percent of the total investment.

The governments of Indonesia and China have also worked closely, especially in the past three years, and the minister is optimistic that various projects and cooperation programs would continue to be improved.

"Indonesia and China need to promote better global and regional partnerships. Both countries have the capacity to do that," Panjaitan noted.

In line with the view of coordinating minister for maritime affairs, CSIS founder Jusuf Wanandi highlighted the importance for Indonesia and China to strengthen cooperation in an era filled with global uncertainty.

Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Xiao Qian stated that the heads of state of the two countries had visited each other to strengthen cooperation.

In addition, Qian reminded that various cooperation programs had also begun to be implemented, such as the Jakarta-Bandung fast train.

Vice President Jusuf Kalla had earlier expressed optimism that the government`s policy of relaxing the negative investment list, or DNI, would attract more foreign investors to Indonesia, especially in the micro, small, and medium enterprises sector.
Reporting by Muhammad Razi Rahman, Otniel Tamindael
Editing by Suharto

Reporter: Antara
Editor: Yosep Hariyadi
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