Japan committed to increasing investment in RI`s energy sector

"They have commitment to increasing investment in Indonesia particularly in the automotive, energy and trade sectors," Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa said.

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Japan is committed to increasing its investment in the Indonesian energy sector, Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa said.

"They have commitment to increasing investment in Indonesia particularly in the automotive, energy and trade sectors," he said after receiving Japanese Deputy Minister of Economy Yasutoshi Nishimura in Jakarta on Monday.

Hatta said investment opportunities in the energy sector included the use of geothermal, wind, solar and biomass energy.

"The development of geothermal energy needs huge investment and that almost all Japanese investments in the geothermal sector will be involved, such as those in Lampung, South Sumatra, and North Sumatra," he said.

In regard to the Japanese investment in the automotive sector, Hatta expressed hope that Indonesia would become a production basis for Japanese manufacturing industry.

"At present some Japanese companies are expanding their businesses in the ASEAN region. We must encourage medium-sized companies to support large-scale companies to reduce our dependence on imports," he said.

At the meeting the two officials also discussed the continuation of Metropolitan Priority Area (MPA) project and its financing scheme through the private sector.

"I want the private sector to get involved in it so that it will not burden the government and rely on debts. The state budget funds and loans should be used to develop rural infrastructures, irrigation networks, dams and water reservoirs," he said.

Nishimura meanwhile responded positively to the effort to enhance trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.

"We have agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in the energy and infrastructure sectors, particularly renewable and geothermal energy. We are pleased to support it," he said.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2013