"Not only will they be invited to engage in the preparation of raw materials and commodities but also in the processing of materials such as in metal smelting."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia will invite China to participate in development of its national economic corridor program when Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao visits the country on April 28-30, a minister said.
"Indonesia will invite China to take part in the economic corridor program, particularly in special economic zone the country will develop later," Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu said at a seminar themed "strategic balance in Asia: cooperation and competition" here on Tuesday.
The Chinese participation would come in the form of investment in infrastructure, industrial, mining and agricultural sectors, she said.
"Not only will they be invited to engage in the preparation of raw materials and commodities but also in the processing of materials such as in metal smelting," she said adding that investment in the infrastructure sector was one of the ways to improve the competitive edge of national products.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono launched a national economic corridor program last month. The program is part of the blueprint for the development of the country`s economy in the next 25 years. The program is expected to open the door for balanced development and allow regions to focus on their own economic potentials.
Under the program, the government aims to build economic clusters and business centers on the country`s five major islands, namely Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Papua.
Mari said during Prime Minister Wen`s visit, the Indonesian Textile Producers Association (API) would sign an agreement with its Chinese counterpart, a move expected to ease domestic textile producers` concern about a surge in the flow of Chinese textiles into the country.
"By signing the agreement, we hope China can adjust to our business," she said.
Earlier, on Monday, Indonesia and China agreed to enhance cooperation in manpower and human resources development to be implemented through joint trainings.
Acting Secretary General of the Manpower and Transmigration Ministry Muchtar Luthfie said after a meeting with visiting Chinese vice minister of resources and social security Yuan Yanpeng on Monday China had offered cooperation for the two countries to conduct joint manpower training in various fields.
"We certainly could use it for increasing the skills and expertise of the job seekers to increase their acceptance in the markets," he said.
He said the two countries agreed to conduct cooperation in instructural skill training, training for participants in Asian Skill Competition (ASC) and introduction to new vocational training equipment.
The two countries also agreed to exchange information and conduct discussion on manpower legislation, manpower social security, expansion of employment opportunities, system of manpower supervision and development of conducive industrial relations.
(Uu.KR-IFB/S012/HAJM)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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