Basque country eyes RI investment

JAKARTA (JP): A business delegation from the Basque Country of Spain yesterday began its five-day mission to improve two-way trade and sound out investment possibilities here.

Leading the mission is the president of the Basque autonomous government, Jose Antonio Ardanza. Ardanza, together with Indonesian Minister of Industry Tunky Ariwibowo, headed the Indonesia-Basque enterprise symposium with local business people here yesterday.

"Indonesia is currently focusing on industry, especially the manufacturing sector. So there is a solid ground for further cooperation," Ardanza said.

During the symposium, Tunky offered the Basque delegation investment opportunities in a number of sectors, while Ardanza presented his country's capacity in its industrialization drive.

Ardanza said the Basque Country, the most industrialized region of Spain, has successfully transformed its economy from agriculture-based to a high-tech manufacturing-based economy.

According to Indonesia's Central Bureau of Statistics, two-way trade between Indonesia and Spain has been small, reaching only $753.7 million last year, with Indonesia enjoying a surplus of $315.5 million.

Meanwhile, Eduardo Urturi, a director at Indobask -- a business grouping 50 percent owned by the Basque government together with four Basque firms and 50 percent by the Salim Group of Indonesia -- said his company is currently active in facilitating businesspeople of both countries to seek joint venture opportunities.

Ardanza's delegation included Basque Minister of Industry, Agriculture and Fishing Javier Retegui, Minister of Trade, Consumption and Tourism Rosa Diez and business executives representing 50 companies.

During his visit, Ardanza is scheduled to meet with Minister of Mines and Energy Ida Bagus Sudjana, State Minister of National Development Planning Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Minister of Public Works Radinal Moochtar as well as Minister of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications Joop Ave. (rid)