Hungary vies for projects in Indonesia<\/p>\n
Endy M. Bayuni, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Hungary is vying for economic projects in Indonesia as a way of
\nenhancing relations between the two countries, with sectors such
\nas the construction of roads, bridges and railways, and
\ninformation technology (IT) and automotive parts featuring
\nprominently on its wish list.<\/p>\n
Janos Koka, Hungarian minister of economy and transportation,
\nwound up on Tuesday a two-day visit to Indonesia to explore
\nbusiness opportunities here through a series of talks with senior
\nIndonesian officials and business leaders.<\/p>\n
\"We're not a capital exporting country,\" Koka said at a
\nbreakfast meeting at the Shangri-La Hotel when asked about the
\nprospect of Hungarian investment in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Hungary, a country of 10 million people, is not looking for
\nlarge-scale investments in Indonesia, he said. \"We are looking at
\neconomic development projects where we can help and participate.\"<\/p>\n
He cited the IT sector, including the development of IT for
\neducation, as one area where Hungary could help Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Koka came well prepared. His delegation includes a
\nrepresentative from the Hungary Exim Bank, which would provide
\ncredit financing, through a cooperation with Indonesia's Bank
\nMandiri, for Hungarian exports to cash-strapped Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Koka is well versed in the IT sector. A medical doctor by
\ntraining, he ran his own IT company in Hungary for 10 years until
\nhe was recruited to the Cabinet in September.<\/p>\n
At 32, he is the youngest member of the Cabinet. A self-made
\nmillionaire (the Hungarian Menedzser Magazin said last year he
\nwas worth 10.9 million euros), Koka said relations between
\nIndonesia and Hungary were best enhanced through economic and
\ntrade diplomacy.<\/p>\n
\"I am the sales and marketing representative of the Republic
\nof Hungary,\" he proclaimed.<\/p>\n
Many Hungarian companies that had operations in Indonesia left
\nthe country in the wake of the Asian financial crisis in 1998.
\nThe two countries are now working to rebuild economic ties.
\nCurrently, total direct trade between the countries amounts to
\nabout $250 million a year.<\/p>\n
About the only Hungarian corporate presence in Indonesia today
\nis an IT company operating out of Batam.<\/p>\n
During his two-day visit here, Koka held meetings with
\nministers Aburizal Bakrie (economy), Mari Pangestu (trade) and
\nSofyan Djalil (communications and information), and with Ismet
\nAbdullah (governor of the Riau Islands which oversees Batam) and
\nMiranda Gultom (deputy governor of the central bank).<\/p>\n
Koka has some familiarity with Indonesia, having chaired the
\nIndonesia-Hungary joint business council in Budapest in the past.<\/p>\n
He organized a charity dinner early this year to raise funds
\nfor the victims of the tsunami in Aceh, an event eagerly
\nsupported by Hungarian businesspeople, Koka recalled.<\/p>\n
It was his familiarity with Indonesia that led Koka to place
\nIndonesia among six countries where his \"economic diplomacy\"
\nwould be focused, along with Japan, China, Russia, the United
\nStates and the Balkan states.<\/p>\n
European countries are not included because Hungary is now a
\nfull-fledged member of the European Union. India, in spite of its
\nrapid growth, is seen more as a competitor because it specializes
\nin areas where Hungary is also focusing, such as IT and
\nbiotechnology.<\/p>\n
But in Indonesia, Koka said, he saw potential for Hungary's
\nparticipation because the country was still in the early stages
\nof development.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesia is a land of great opportunities,\" he said.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/hungary-vies-for-projects-in-indonesia-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }