These figures have made China one of the top 10 investors in Indonesia."Beijing (ANTARA News) - Indonesias Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) held a business meeting with executives from some 100 Chinese companies to introduce them to the countrys investment potentials and its one-stop service to ease investment.
"This business forum was the first such one organized by the BKPM," Chairman of the BKPM Franky Sibarani told ANTARA News here on Thursday before the forum began.
He added that realization of Chinese investment in Indonesia was still relatively small.
"The investment ratio is still 10 percent, which means that out of 10 Chinese investors, only one really invests in Indonesia," he explained.
According to records, realization of Chinese investment in Indonesia in the fourth quarter of 2014 was ranked fourth for the first time, while in the first quarter of 2015, it reached US$75.1 million in 200 projects.
"These figures have made China one of the top 10 investors in Indonesia," he affirmed.
In the last five years, the realization of Chinese investment in Indonesia reached US$1.5 billion, which is around 7 percent of the total planned investment recorded at US$23.3 billion.
"However, the investment potential of China is large. Therefore, the BKPM continues to conduct internal improvements by being more proactive in introducing the countrys investment potentials, providing better facilities and counseling for Chinese investors in Indonesia, as well as routinely holding a market sounding event and business forum like this one, which is the first to be held in China, among other measures," he stated.
Furthermore, Indonesian Ambassador to China Soegeng Rahardjo said that considering Chinas huge investment potential, the country could become the fifth largest investor in Indonesia.
"However, there must be cooperation and strong commitment between the two countries to ensure realization of investment, increase of trade and flow of tourists," he remarked.
Vice President of Bank of China Gao Ying Xin noted that the relations between China and Indonesia continued to increase, marked by the recent exchange of visits by the heads of states of both nations.
"We have funded several investment projects in Indonesia, such as mining projects in Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Our partners include Garuda Indonesia, Krakatau Steel and Sinar Mas. We have even made programs for small and medium businesses," he pointed out.
According to Gao Ying Xin, Indonesia was Chinas biggest trading partner in Southeast Asia, and with its long coastline, its position was very strategic for Chinas "One Belt, One Road" project.
With all these advantages, he added, "I believe the flow of investment and trade between the two countries will continue to increase in the future."
The business leaders who attended the forum included those from the sectors of mining, telecommunications and infrastructure.
(Reporting by Rini Utami/Uu.H-YH/INE/KR-BSR/A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2015