British investors upbeat on RI's economic prospects<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): British investors remain upbeat about
\nIndonesia's economic prospects despite the country's worst
\neconomic crisis in decades, according to the Indonesian British
\nBusiness Council (IBBC).<\/p>\n
IBBC chairman Alan Jones said here on Monday that he believed
\nIndonesia, with its sound economic fundamentals, would be able to
\novercome the crisis by the end of next year and, as with other
\nemerging countries in the region, investing in Indonesia would be
\na smart move.<\/p>\n
\"I still believe Indonesia will be a significant player in the
\nregion in the next century. As Indonesia emerges from some of its
\nworst times, we think that it is time to look ahead to new needs
\nand opportunities,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Jones, who is leading a delegation of officials and
\nbusinessmen, held the news conference after a meeting of the
\nBritish Committee of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and
\nIndustry (Kadin).<\/p>\n
Jones said the economic crisis which had been battering the
\ncountry since July 1997, would not last long and would not affect
\ntrade ties between the two countries.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesian economic fundamentals are strong, and we are still
\nlooking forward to increasing our trade and investment
\nrelationship with the country. Indonesia is still very important
\nto the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n
\"It is predicted that investment from the United Kingdom will
\nbe less this year in dollar terms but will be higher in terms of
\nthe number of the projects.\"<\/p>\n
Jones and the IBBC delegation met with President B.J. Habibie
\non Monday to discuss their opinions on Indonesia's business
\nclimate.<\/p>\n
During its three-day visit, which will end Wednesday, the
\ndelegation is also scheduled to meet with State Minister of the
\nEmpowerment of the State Enterprises Tanri Abeng and Minister of
\nIndustry and Trade Rahardi Ramelan, as well as local prominent
\nbusiness leaders.<\/p>\n
British Ambassador to Indonesia Robin Christopher is also
\nclosely involved with the work of the delegation.<\/p>\n
The visit is IBBC's second since it was established last year
\nto bolster the business ties between the two countries.<\/p>\n
Trade between the two countries has so far favored Indonesia.
\nIndonesia's exports to the United Kingdom topped US$1.3 billion
\nwhile imports from Britain totaled $1.08 billion last year.<\/p>\n
According to the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), British
\ninvestment in Indonesia, until the beginning of this year, was
\n$21.2 billion in 245 projects that covered a broad range of
\nsectors. The UK is the second largest investor in Indonesia after
\nJapan.<\/p>\n
Jones said British investors were interested in the energy,
\nmining and plantation sectors.<\/p>\n
\"We are very interested with the government of Indonesia 's
\nrecent deregulation of the energy sector. We are also very
\nimpressed on the government's move to eliminate the collusive
\npractices in the country,\" Jones said.<\/p>\n
KADIN chairman Aburizal Bakrie said the British investors
\nbelieved the Indonesian government's moves to revive the
\ncountry's economy were smart and suitable.<\/p>\n
\"They said that Indonesia's moves are smarter than those
\nimplemented by Eastern European Countries. But they urge the
\ngovernment to provide political stability here to lure more
\ninvestors,\" Aburizal said.<\/p>\n
\"They also urged the government to continue fighting the KKN
\n(corruption, collusion and nepotism) practices. The presence of
\nforeign investors here will also require fundamental preparations
\nbecause they would have to receive the same treatment as local
\ninvestors,\" he added.<\/p>\n
KIKI's chairman Suryo B. Sulisto said that the meeting would
\ndiscuss a wide range of opportunities in the mining, plantation
\nand agriculture, and fisheries sectors in addition to the main
\nfocus on energy sector opportunities and the development of
\ninitiatives for small and medium enterprises. (gis\/prb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/british-investors-upbeat-on-ris-economic-prospects-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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