"The Indonesian government has worked well and we believe Indonesia has become an attractive place for investment and it will continue to develop," JP Morgan Chase`s Chief Executive Jamie Dimon said to newsmen after meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono here on Tuesday.
He said he had discussed a number of economic issues with President Yudhoyono in the meeting including investment, energy and development.
"We have also been briefed about the Indonesian economic development acceleration program (MP3EI) and hope we can help and be involved in it," he said at a press conference with head of the Capital Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), Gita Wirjawan.
Gita Wirjawan meanwhile said President Yudhoyono in the 30-minute meeting with Dimon had explained about the government`s plan in implementing the program.
He said President Yudhoyono had expressed wish for banks like JP Morgan to help with funds as the program would require a lot of funds.
Besides discussing MP3EI they had also talked about Indonesia`s position which has become better and more attractive as an investment destination country as well as the settlement of global bonds with JP Morgan worth UD$2.5 billion.
"Several days ago they just helped the Indonesian government through the finance minister to settle the global bonds worth US$2.5 billion with yields at the lowest so far. This gives a good prospect as the pricing of global bonds has already reflected Indonesia`s eligibility as an investment grade country," Gita said.
He said "we hoped persons like Jamie Dimon could tell his colleagues in the international financial institutions that Indonesia has a right to be given an investment grade status."
Regarding the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) meeting Gita said Indonesia would be the host for the meeting with minimally 250 businessmen from the United States from various sectors.
"This is the initiative of the US government for Indonesia. The business leaders that would come are from companies operating in infrastructure, renewable energy. We hope there would also be technology companies so that we could conduct joint investment and production," he said.
The 7th OPIC has a theme of "Access to Opportunity in Southeast Asia" is scheuduled to be held here on Wednesday.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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