"Friday`s disaster in Japan did have a negative impact but hopefully it will not affect the economic relations between Indonesia and the country," Coordinating Minister for Economy Hatta Rajasa said after opening an Indonesian Association of Street Vendors national conference here on Saturday.
He said the government had conveyed its concern over the disaster that hit Japan on Friday because the country had a strategic position in Indonesian economy.
"Japan is one of three major countries having trade relation with Indonesia," said Hatta who is concurrently the general chairman of National Mandate Party (PAN).
According to him, the potential of trade value between Indonesia and Japan reached over US$20 million per year.
Hatta expressed hope that various efforts would be made immediately to restore the condition in Japan after the country was hit by a devastating tsunami which was triggered by powerful earthquake measuring 8.9 on the Richter scale.
But Hatta said he was convinced life in Japan would soon recover from the disaster.
"I am sure that Japan will be able to overcome the setbacks from the damaged infrastructure, electricity and communication lines as soon as possible," Hatta Rajasa said after attending a Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) alumni gathering in Jakarta on Friday night.
He also believed that Japan`s economy will soon recover from the disaster.
It is because the country has been familiar with earthquake disaster and knew how the rehabilitation and reconstruction were all about.
"We hope life in Japan will soon return to normal because I am sure its economic condition will not be disturbed by the devastating earthquake and tsunami disaster," Hatta said.
He also expressed hope that relation between Indonesia and Japan would not be disturbed and the country`s commitment to invest in Indonesia would remain running as usual.(*)
O001/HAJM
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
