China Welcomes Prabowo’s Commitment to Protect Foreign Investment
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The China Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia (CCCI) says Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s remarks on protecting foreign investment send a positive message about strengthening economic and trade cooperation between Indonesia and China.
In a written statement received by ANTARA from the Chinese Embassy in Indonesia on Thursday in Jakarta, the CCCI said Chinese companies had welcomed Prabowo’s pledge to safeguard all investment and maintain partnerships with investors who had placed their trust in Indonesia.
At the launch of several downstreaming projects at the Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park (IWIP) in Central Halmahera, North Maluku, on 8 October, Prabowo affirmed the government’s commitment to respect and safeguard all investment, whether domestic or foreign.
“I am here to affirm the Government of the Republic of Indonesia’s commitment to respecting and safeguarding all investment, from wherever it originates, that is made on Indonesian soil,” Prabowo said.
The President said that maintaining partnerships with those who had placed their trust in Indonesia was a matter of honour for the Indonesian nation. He described those who had shown confidence and dared to work together in new areas as brothers and sisters.
The CCCI said the commitment was a positive signal for the business climate and Chinese investors’ confidence in expanding their business activities in Indonesia.
Support for continued cooperation was also voiced by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning at a press conference in Beijing on Tuesday (13 October).
Mao said her government was committed to deepening mutually beneficial cooperation with Indonesia.
“The success of Chinese companies in Indonesia is also a success for Indonesia. We will work with Indonesia to follow up on the strategic agreements between the two presidents and continue deepening mutually beneficial cooperation in relevant fields,” Mao said.
Mao also said bilateral cooperation in energy, mining and other sectors had delivered tangible benefits to both countries and their people. She said the collaboration could help Indonesia optimise its natural resources to promote national development and prosperity.
China hopes the Indonesian government will continue to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies and create an open, fair, transparent and friendly business climate.
The scale of investment cooperation between the two countries is reflected in the development of IWIP. Prabowo said realised investment at the industrial park had reached about US$20 billion, with a further US$7 billion planned in the future.
Development of the industrial park has also reportedly created more than 100,000 jobs.
The CCCI said it would continue to act as a link between the two governments and Chinese companies, while deepening cooperation with various stakeholders in Indonesia to promote partnerships that benefit the people of both countries.