Jakarta needs foreign investors

JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta still needs local and foreign investors, but prefers high-tech investment, which is free from pollution and needs limited space and water, Governor Surjadi Soedirdja says.

Surjadi said at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Jakarta and London Chambers of Commerce and Industry on Monday that this policy is related to the capital's bid to become a sister city to London.

The documents were signed by Soekardjo Hardjosoewirjo, chief of Kadin Jaya (the Jakarta Chamber of Commerce and Industry) and his British counterpart Alastar Dacre Lacy, the director for the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Soekardjo told reporters the signing of the MOA followed the sister-city relationship between London and Jakarta whose signing was conducted in May.

Under the memorandum, Jakarta and London will cooperate in several sectors, including commerce and industry; education, science and technology; transportation, communications and tourism.

The two cities also agreed to develop mutual understanding and forge a stronger relationship which is beneficial to both.

Lacy said through the cooperation the London chamber is not only seeking to promote British goods and services but also "understand the importance of a two-way trade".

He said he foresees great potential for goods produced by Indonesian companies in Europe and England can be a focal point for marketing to Europe.

"However, an ever watchful eye should be kept by Indonesian manufacturers on levels of price and quality," said Lacy.

Lacy added he especially hopes that cooperation in workshops, education and transfer of technology could prominently develop and strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

Based on records at city hall, England ranks sixth among foreign investors in Jakarta in terms of the number of investments. It is behind Japan, which tops the list, Hong Kong, Singapore, Holland and Australia, but is ahead of Australia and South Korea. The English businessmen handled 34 projects worth $313 million from 1967 through March 1994. (jsk)