"Due to the shortage Indonesia to some extent has had to rely on imports."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia hopes Japanese investors would invest in supporting industries to cover shortage in the sector, head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), Chatib Basri, said.

"Due to the shortage Indonesia to some extent has had to rely on imports. Japanese investment could fill the void," he said at a discussion also attended by several Japanese business figures here on Wednesday.

He said if Japanese investment could go to the industries it would help sustain the country`s future economic development.

He said Japan is Indonesia`s most important partner because of its big investment reaching US$2.5 billion in 2012.

Other speakers at the discussion included the president director of PT Bank Indonesia Tbk., Gatot Suwondo, the governor of Japan`s Ehima Prefecture, Tokihiro Nakamura, chairman of Ehima`s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Shozo Shiriasi, chairman of the Indonesia-Japan Committee of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sony B Harsono, chairman of the Indonesia-Japan Society, Rachmat Gobel and the secretary of the Directorate General of International Industrial Cooperation, Dyah Winarni Pujiwati.

PT Bank Negara Indonesia has been cooperating with the Ehim Prefecture government to bridge cooperation between the two countries` bsuinessmen.

After the discussion business delegation from the Ehima Prefecture from 14 companies was met with businessmen from 35 Indonesian companies which are BNI customers and 20 businessmen from the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) to explore potentials for concrete cooperation.

(Reporting by Dewanto Samodro,/H-YH/B003)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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