Megawati seeks investments from China<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Beijing<\/p>\n
During President Megawati Soekarnoputri's second day in Beijing
\nshe solicited Chinese businesses to invest in Indonesia, pledging
\nan end to the days of discrimination against the Chinese in the
\ncountry which was now focusing its efforts on ensuring stability
\nand security.<\/p>\n
\"Chinese investments in Indonesia will not be subject to
\ndiscrimination,\" she told a business luncheon at the Beijing
\nInternational Convention Center.<\/p>\n
Megawati conceded that \"stability in Indonesia had not been
\ncompletely restored, but the situation now has significantly
\nimproved.\"<\/p>\n
Megawati arrived here on Sunday, making her the second
\npresident to visit the Asian giant in two years after Abdurrahman
\nWahid.<\/p>\n
Like Abdurrahman during his visit in December 1999, Megawati
\nwas fully aware of possible fears of discrimination Chinese
\nbusinessmen may have when investing in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Political ties between the two countries have only in the past
\ndecade began to thaw after Jakarta's perception of Beijing's
\ninvolvement in the failed 1965 communist coup.<\/p>\n
It is also widely believed here that ethnic Chinese often
\nbecome the target of discrimination in Indonesia. Tight visa
\nrestrictions have also been employed for Chinese visitors going
\nto Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Megawati on Monday underlined that attitudes were changing in
\nIndonesia, noting that the Chinese New Year had now been declared
\na national holiday.<\/p>\n
She urged delegates at the luncheon not to hesitate,
\nexpressing confidence that \"Chinese businessmen can now play an
\neven greater role.\"<\/p>\n
She also expressed hope that the Bank of China would resume
\nits operations in the near future, a key factor in further
\nboosting bilateral trade currently valued at about US$4 billion.<\/p>\n
\"This is far below the potential of both countries,\" she said
\nof the trade balance, adding that energy, railway, shipping,
\npetrochemicals and construction were among the many potential
\nareas.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile economist Mari Pangestu, who attended the lunch,
\ntold The Jakarta Post that what was important now was the
\nfollow-up to many of the pledges made.<\/p>\n
As a person with a deep understanding of the area, she also
\nrecognized that Chinese businessmen remain hesitant about
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
\"We have to be more proactive ... better our image,\" she said.<\/p>\n
According to Mari, what would be attractive to Chinese
\ninvestors was assurances of long term resource security of
\nbetween 30 years to 40 years.<\/p>\n
She also believed that share holdings would be an important
\nincentive.<\/p>\n
Apart from wooing the business community, Megawati on Monday
\nalso met separately with Vice President Hu Jintao and former
\npremier Li Peng.<\/p>\n
Li hailed the Indonesian leader and described the bilateral
\nrelationship as very good and cooperative.<\/p>\n
He even took a glance at Megawati's lineage, noting that
\nMegawati's father and first Indonesian president Sukarno worked
\nclosely with then premier Zhou Enlai to forge Asian unity.<\/p>\n
On Sunday, Megawati met with President Jiang Zemin to discuss
\ncooperation in various areas including agriculture, energy and
\ntourism.<\/p>\n
She departs for Pyongyang, North Korea on Thursday on the
\nsecond leg of her Asian tour which will also include South Korea
\nand India.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/megawati-seeks-investments-from-china-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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