Basque country eyes RI investment
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)