Indonesia seeks Japan's support for recovery from killer blast
Indonesia seeks Japan's support for recovery from killer blast
Agencies, Los Cabos, Mexico
Indonesia's trade and industry minister on Wednesday sought Japanese support for its battle to recover from the Oct. 12 car- bomb massacre in Bali, an official said.
Indonesian Industry and Trade Minister Rini M.S. Soewandi held talks with Japan's vice trade minister Sanae Takaichi on the sidelines of a ministerial meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.
"We would like Japan to give a strong commitment to Indonesia's economic recovery," Rini told Takaichi, according to a Japanese trade ministry official present at the talks.
"Japan is our biggest foreign investor. We want to regain peace and security in Bali through economic development," Rini said.
The blast, in which more than 180 people -- mostly foreign tourists -- have been confirmed killed and hundreds more wounded, dealt a severe blow to tourism and Indonesia's economy.
"Indonesia's social stability is critical to the peace and security of the region," Takaichi said.
He called on the Indonesian government to speed up its investigation and to prevent further attacks in order to improve the investment climate in the country.
But the Japanese vice trade minister stopped short of offering fresh financial support to Jakarta.
To help Indonesia achieve a swift economic recovery, Rini proposed striking a free trade agreement (FTA) with Japan, the Japanese official said.
The proposal come only a month after Japan reached an accord with the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) to set up a regional FTA in ten years time.
Takaichi told Rini that Tokyo was "positive" about kicking off negotiations on free trade agreements with Indonesia, as quoted from Antara. Japan has so far concluded a free trade accord only with Singapore.
He advised the Indonesian government to submit the proposal through diplomatic channels.
Previously, Japan has held talks with Thailand and the Philippines regarding FTA.
Further, Rini called Japanese business not to withdraw their investments in power plant projects in Indonesia because of the bombing.
She also asked the Japanese government not to complicate Indonesian wood product exports with its new standards on imported plywood.
In turn, Takaichi asked Indonesia to support Japan's proposal to establish APEC Intellectual Property Service Center to provide information for businessmen affected by piracy.
Japan's proposal nearly failed as China rejected the proposal at the preliminary meeting among APEC high officials which ended Tuesday. Initially, Indonesia and Russia supported China's move.