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.