China wants to improve investment ties with RI

JAKARTA (JP): China wants to improve cooperation with Indonesia in technology development through improved investment cooperation, a visiting Chinese official says.

The deputy director general of science and technology at China's Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, Zhao Chunhua, who is here to attend a two-day seminar on the Indonesia-China trade and investment relations beginning tomorrow, said that opportunities are widely open for technology cooperation between the two countries.

The chairman of the Association of Indonesia-China Economic, Social and Cultural Cooperation, Sukamdani S. Gitosardjono, told reporters here on Monday that investment cooperation through joint ventures will expedite transfer of technology from the Chinese to Indonesian partners.

Sukamdani, quoting data of the Investment Coordinating Board, said that Chinese investments approved by the board since the normalization of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1990 reached US$150 million as of last month.

The investments were committed for the establishment of 23 projects in six provinces -- Jakarta, West, Central and East Java, South Sulawesi and Riau, he said.

The projects will start operating in 1995 and 1996 in bicycle and ceramics production and in services, he added.

Zhao said Indonesia's investment in China as of last year reached less than US$100 million.

Sukamdani said investment opportunities in the two countries will be discussed during the seminar, which will present prominent speakers, including State Minister of Investment Sanyoto Sastrowardoyo.(rid)