'Taiwan's economic relations with Indonesia are improving<\/p>\n
Veeramalla Anjaiah, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Taiwan, the archrival of China, has succeeded in improving
\neconomic relations with Indonesia at a faster rate than on the
\npolitical front, where the island nation has been stymied by
\nJakarta's \"One China\" policy.<\/p>\n
\"Taiwan's relations with Indonesia are cordial and
\ncomprehensive. We have been cooperating with each other in
\nvarious sectors including agriculture, fisheries, tourism, labor
\nand industrial sectors,\" Taiwan's economic and trade
\nrepresentative David Y.L. Lin said during a press briefing on
\nSunday in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Taiwan has neither an embassy in Jakarta nor an official
\ndiplomatic relationship with Indonesia.<\/p>\n
China, the world's most populous nation and a permanent member
\nof the United Nations Security Council, says Taiwan is still part
\nof China and strongly opposes any country that tries to establish
\ndiplomatic ties with its \"renegade province\". And Indonesia,
\nwhich has cordial relations with China, does not want to get
\ninvolved in the rivalry between China and Taiwan.<\/p>\n
Yet, thanks to its \"go-south policy\" and all-out efforts,
\nTaiwan has emerged as an important economic partner of the
\nworld's most populous Muslim nation.<\/p>\n
The \"go-south policy\" was designed and pursued by present
\nTaiwan's President Chen Shui-bian to encourage Taiwanese
\nbusinesspeople to invest in Southeast Asian countries, including
\nIndonesia, instead of China.<\/p>\n
\"The total volume of our bilateral trade in 2003 reached
\nUS$4.4 billion or increased 9.5 percent from the previous year.
\nIndonesia enjoyed a trade surplus of $1.41 billion in 2003 or an
\nincrease of 25.1 percent compared to 2002,\" Lin, who assumed his
\npost just four months ago in Jakarta, said.<\/p>\n
Being the fifth-largest foreign investor, with a total
\ncumulative amount invested of $13 billion as of the end of 2003,
\nTaiwan has been providing employment for thousands of Indonesians
\nthrough its 962 projects. The companies, like Pao-cheng Shoes
\nCo., ACER Bank Chinatrust, Na Ya Plastics, President Food and
\nRSEA are some of the major Taiwanese companies that are involved
\nin Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\"Though in recent times the focus of Taiwan has slightly moved
\nto Vietnam due to its inexpensive labor and better investment
\nclimate, Indonesia is still an important destination for our
\ninvestors, Lin said.<\/p>\n
While commenting further on the investment climate in
\nIndonesia from Taiwan's perspective, Lin said the rupiah's
\nstability was the most important factor in investment
\nconsiderations. The increasing wages are a real concern for most
\ninvestors.<\/p>\n
Putting aside the problems of a poor investment climate,
\nincluding the security issue -- especially after the Bali Bombing
\nin 2002 -- a large number of Taiwan tourists are flooding
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
\"Around 300,000 Taiwan tourists visit Indonesia each year.
\nWith 42 flights per week, there are three Taiwan airlines flying
\nbetween Taiwan and Indonesia,\" Lin said.<\/p>\n
Taiwan employs around 56,000 Indonesian workers in household,
\nhealth, industrial and construction sectors.<\/p>\n
\"Actually, we do not have any problem with the Indonesian
\ngovernment and we respect their policy on China. We do not
\nunderstand why China always protests whenever a minister or
\nofficial delegation from a country, which do not have diplomatic
\nties with Taiwan, visits Taipei,\" Lin said.<\/p>\n
For example, ministers from Germany, which do not have
\ndiplomatic ties with Taiwan, have visited Taipei several times.<\/p>\n
Taiwan has diplomatic relations with 27 countries from all
\nover the world and economic and trade representative offices in
\nmore than 100 countries.<\/p>\n
Lin also commented on the latest presidential elections, which
\naccording to him, were conducted freely and fairly. The incumbent
\npresident Chen's reelection was a democratic achievement for
\nTaiwan.<\/p>\n
The latest elections were monitored by independent observers
\nfrom various countries including Indonesia. The Habibie center, a
\nthink tank established by Indonesia's former president B.J.
\nHabibie, sent a team of observers under the leadership of Dewi
\nFortuna Anwar, a research scholar, to Taiwan to monitor the
\nelection.<\/p>\n
Lin hopes that his country, which has investments totaling
\nmore than $100 billion in mainland China, and Beijing will engage
\nin more dialog to improve the relations between the neighbors.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/taiwans-economic-relations-with-indonesia-are-improving-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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